by Sierra Pasquale
Toward the end of Lisa Kron’s “Well” she notes, “This avant garde, metatheatrical shit will really bite you in the ass”, and with that, I couldn’t agree more.
“Well”, currently on the boards at the Schenectady Civic Players, is a semi-autobiographical play that explores themes of illness, family dynamics, race, and the complexities of storytelling itself. The central character, Lisa (Mary Darcy), attempts to create a theatrical piece examining the nature of wellness and illness, focusing on her own struggles with allergies and her mother’s chronic fatigue syndrome. Lisa insists the play is not about her relationship with her mother, Ann, (Christine Boice Saplin) but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their relationship is central to the narrative.
The play shifts between scenes of Lisa’s memories of growing up in a racially integrated neighborhood and present-day interactions with her mother as she disrupts Lisa’s carefully crafted structure, challenging her daughter’s version of events and forcing Lisa to confront the messy reality of life, illness, and human relationships.
In this 105 minute one act, Kron tries desperately to tell the story of her own growth from illness to wellness, while trying to connect her mother’s illness to her own acts of healing through social activism, which in 2024, just feel a lot like showcasing acts of white saviorism.
All in all, this play does what it sets out to do, but it’s a slog to get there. The pace is often slow and tedious. It unveils why some people are sick, some are well, others never get sick and how, eventually, all of our bodies will betray us, but the “theatrical exploration” Kron takes the audience on is often so existential, it gets in its own way.
Matthew G. Moross directs wonderfully talented actors through the herculean task. The audience at Friday’s opening night was in rapt attention and uproarious with laughter. (Maybe I’m the one who was missing something.)
Duncan Morrison’s set design shifts seamlessly between a middle-aged woman’s living room to an allergy ward and back with excellent lighting by David Zwierankin.
The small ensemble of Jean T. Carney, Timothy Martin, Michael Schaefer, and Monet Thompson-Young shape-shift throughout the production with ease. A particular nod to Jean T. Carney’s portrayal of Joy, Kron’s roommate in the allergy ward who is anything but her namesake.
Darcy and Saplin play wonderfully off each other as mother and daughter, but their relationship is written in a way that lacked the universality I was expecting to connect with.
Go ahead and take the journey with Kron and her mom. Maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for beyond the fourth wall. As for me, I’ll keep my dramas inside the proscenium.
Schenectady Civic Players present “Well” by Lisa Kron at Schenectady Civic Playhouse, 12 S Church St, Schenectady, NY 12305. Directed by Matthew G. Moross. Runs from September 20-29. Assistant Director: Melissa Brown, Producers: Laura Graver and Jennifer Van Iderstyne, Set Design & Construction Duncan Morrison, Lighting Design: David Zwierankin, Board Operator: Elise Charlebois, Stage Manager: Beth Swallow, Costumes: Marcia Thomas and Beth Ruman, Properties: Amanda Lupe, Sound Design: Barry Streifert, Hair Design: John Fowler, Cast Dinner: Christine Loffredo, Mary Darcy as Lisa, Christine Boice Saplin as Ann, Jean T. Carney as Joy, Dottie, Herself, Monet Thompson-Young as Lori, Kay, Mrs. Price, Cynthia, Herself, Timmy Martin as Jim, Nurse, Little Oscar, Big Oscar, Himself, Michael Shaefer as Howard, Head Nurse, Himself
Performance dates are Wednesday & Thursday 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday 8:00pm, Sunday 2:30pm. Runs approximately 105 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are available at civicplayers.org, or at the door.