[NEohioPAL]Berko review: NIGHT BLOOMERS (Dobama), Kalliope 2006-2007 season

[Roy Berko]

Thought provoking ‘NIGHT BLOOMERS’ at DOBAMA

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


As a crisis counselor I’m aware of the trauma caused
by real or perceived tragedies.  The results of fires,
deaths, threats and natural and man-inspired
catastrophes can be psychologically devastating. 
Psychological distractions such as nightmares,
depression, hysteria and fear of personal destruction
often result.  Add reality to the repeated railing by
leaders, such as President Bush stating over and over
“9-11, ” “9-11” to reinforce the horror of the attacks
on the World Trade Center, and people become primed
for upset and fail to have time to heal.

Sarah Morton, the author of ‘NIGHT BLOOMERS’ now in
production by Dobama Theatre, imagines our country
following a terrorist attack termed “The Incident.” 
The result is a chilling expose of raw nerves and how
calamity affects“survivors.”

In Morton’s story, Lilia,  a mature woman, has decided
that “The Incident” is not going to stop her from her
two passions...traveling and searching for the
nocturnal blooming rare persinnium plant.  Since
public airlines are out of business, she hires Nathan,
 a private pilot, to assist her in her search.  Their
adventure involves contact with sky marshals, bandits,
border patrolmen, an Avon saleswoman, newlyweds, and a
family in search of the daughter they lost. 

Nathan, who was assigned to recover debris following
“The Incident,” turns out to be debris himself. 
Tortured, he is devoid of emotions.  Devoid until an
incident forces him to experience Primal Scream,
where, much like others with post-traumatic stress
syndrome and/or survivor guilt, Nathan cracks.

The play asks many questions:  Can fear insight panic?
 Can reality be hidden as the ranters and reminders of
doom re-enforce their techniques to control others? 
(Think the political implications of Bush’s campaign
to continue to tie all presidential decisions,
including taking away individual rights, invasion of
privacy, setting up a self proclaimed set of rules
which do an end-run around the Constitution.)   What
drives some people, in spite of the odds, to search
out truth and beauty?  What happens to an individual
when the strong defenses he has set up are confronted
by traumatic reality?

Morton’s play, though not always clear in explicit
concept, and which waivers off course creating some
illogical sequence patterns, is a very strong piece of
theatre.  

Dobama’s productions, as has been the case in recent
history--’GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA’ and ‘A NUMBER’--is
quality theatre.  Director Eric Schmiedl has paced the
piece well, has finely honed his performers, and
understands the underlying motivations of the script.

Nicholas Koesters gives his finest performance as the
emotionally wounded Nathan.  In his final scene, he
bares the character’s entire physical and
psychological core as he stands center stage, bathed
in a harsh white spotlight, and wails as his emotions
finally overcome his logical control.  It’s worth
seeing the play just to experience this theatrical
highlight!

Nan Wray performs with her usual excellence as Lilia. 
The character’s pluck and determinism shine clearly.  
Courtney Schloss, David Hansen, Samuel Holloway,
Rachel Appelbaum and Teresa McDonough are all
excellent in a variety of roles.

Scenic designer Russ Broski’s blacktopped world is
chilling.   Maureen Patterson’s lighting design adds
much to the emotional effect as does Richard
Ingraham’s sound and music. 

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Dobama’s production of Sarah
Morton’s ‘NIGHT BLOOMERS’ is a scary reminder of what
is or could be.  Though the script has some flaws, the
production values are excellent, making for a
performance worth seeing.

Dobama’s  ‘NIGHT BLOOMERS’ runs through June 4.  For
information and tickets call 216-932-3396.


Kalliope Stage announces 2006-2007 season


Kalliope Stage has announced its fourth season of
musicals, opening September 2006 and running through
May 2007 at 2134 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.
Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm,
and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets $23-$32 for all
productions.
 
The season opens with Andrew Lipp’s ‘WILD PARTY’ on
October 14th, then ‘NITE CLUB CONFIDENTIAL’ by Dennis
Deal and Albert Evans which runs from November 2 to
December 9.   ‘THE TINIEST GIFT’ is on stage from
December 13 to 23.  ‘QUILTERS,’ with music and lyrics
by Barbara Damashek and book by Molly Newman and
Barbara Damashek. runs from February 1 to March 11,
2007.  The season concludes with ‘DEAR WORLD’ with
music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Jerome
Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (April 26 to May 31).
 
For more information, go to www.KalliopeStage.com or
phone 216 321 0870.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.

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