by Emily Edelman
Though I am not the official reviewer for WAM Theatre’s production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, it impressed me so much that I felt moved to offer my opinion.
The story centers on Emery, a middle-aged recluse and accidental social media influencer whose videos of plants have inspired thousands of people to swarm the treehouse she hasn’t been outside of in 20 years to catch a glimpse of her and seek her approval and guidance. Marcy McGuigan portrays Emery as fragile, timid and sweet, and we can see why her sister, Hazel, is moved to protect her. Jennie M. Jadow is in her element as Hazel, a role that perfectly showcases her considerable physical comedy skills. Mei MacQuarrie is spirited and optimistic as Luanne, whose accidental entry into the treehouse brings the outside world to Emery in a way she hadn’t expected. Interspersed throughout the play are joyous vignettes featuring Emery and her plants that appear to represent a mixture of Emery’s aspirations for herself and the crowd’s view of what Emery is and/or should be.
Mei MacQuarrie as Luanne and Marcy McGuigan as Emery in the WAM Theatre production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. Photo Credit: Outdoor Chronicles Photography. 
Mei MacQuarrie as Luanne and Marcy McGuigan as Emery in the WAM Theatre production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. Photo Credit: Outdoor Chronicles Photography. 
Marcy McGuigan as Emery in the WAM Theatre production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. Photo Credit: Outdoor Chronicles Photography. 
Mei MacQuarrie as Luanne, Jennie M. Jadow as Hazel, and Marcy McGuigan as Emery in the WAM Theatre production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. Photo Credit: Outdoor Chronicles Photography. 
Mei MacQuarrie as Luanne, Jennie M. Jadow as Hazel, and Marcy McGuigan as Emery in the WAM Theatre production of “Rooted” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. Photo Credit: Outdoor Chronicles Photography. 
The production values here are exceptional. The beautiful and detailed set designed by Nora Marlow Smith comes alive, if you’ll pardon the expression, with David Lane’s whimsical plant puppetry. Madeline Hebert’s lighting is poignant and nuanced when necessary, and Jane Shaw’s sound design is one of the best I’ve ever experienced.
Ultimately, “Rooted,” which runs through Saturday, May 16, at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre in Lenox, Massachusetts, is about connecting, and also how our connections can branch off in directions we hadn’t anticipated. Both plants and people reach out for each other, spread information via various systems, and need to feel grounded and stable
Rooted by Deborah Zoe Laufer; Director: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill; Cast: Marcy McGuigan (Emory) Jenny Jadow (Hazel) Mei MacQuarrie (Luanne); Scenic Design: Nora Marlow Smith; Lighting Design: Madeline Herbert; Sound Design; Jane Shaw; Costume Design: Stella Schwartz; Puppet Design: David Lane; Stage Manager: Nathaniel Bokaer; Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission; May1-16, 2006; Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA 01240; 413-637-3353; www.wamtheatre.com