[NEohioPAL] Review of "Anna Bella Eema" at CPT/Theater Ninjas

[Bob Abelman]

Theater Ninjas offers riveting, avant-garde one-act play

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the Times papers 2/4/10

Anna Bella Eema, currently on stage at the Cleveland Public Theater Storefront Studio, is a fractured fairy tale.

At its core is the simple story of a reclusive mother and her 10-year-old daughter, who occupy the last mobile home in a trailer park earmarked for destruction.  They are on the verge of eviction and, through a series of soliloquies, offer insight into their lives and their perception of the world that awaits them outside the protective confines of their run-down domain.

What makes this one-act play by Lisa D'Amour so intriguing is that its characters are broken.

They are so socially isolated, psychologically damaged and thoroughly disoriented that memory merges with fantasy, experience is inseparable from imagination, and linear thinking becomes discombobulated.  What is essentially a simple story shape shifts into an epic fairy tale-an odd odyssey of sorts-imbued with mysticism, talk of monsters and the colorful contours of madness.

Ms. D'Amour's words are poetic and an absolute pleasure to listen to, even though the message they convey is disturbing.  Words flow eerily into song and back again, accompanied by assorted percussion and woodwind sounds the actors manufacture from trailer park trash.  The writing is so rich, rhythmic and textured that it is tempting to close your eyes and just listen to the 90 minute performance.

Doing so would obscure director Jeremy Paul's creative staging, which wonderfully facilitates the storytelling.  As recommended by the playwright, actors are largely confined to their own chairs throughout the production, which establishes just how deeply rooted their characters are to this one location.  Most of the dialogue is delivered in isolated corners of scenic designer Curtis Young's intimate, wall-less set.  Yet, Mr. Paul adds enough movement and interaction to make this play visually compelling and to take full advantage of the physicality of a very talented cast without compromising the playwright's intent.  

Elizabeth Wood is electrifying as One/Irene, the 25-year-old mother of Anna Bella.  She introduces herself as a "thick woman," which describes both her looming physical appearance and her debilitating pathology.  Ms. Wood is a force to be reckoned with on stage, an expressive and powerful presence even when sitting.  She captures all that is intelligent and derailed about her complex character.  

An adult Faye Hargate plays Irene's unfortunate offspring, Two/Anna Bella.  Clearly the product of her biology and upbringing, Anna Bella is at once innocent and mature beyond her years.  Ms. Hargate handles both to perfection, creating a vivid portrayal of an energetic 10-year-old child woefully lost in her Mother's delusional undercurrent but whose intelligence and creativity render her salvageable.

Both performers are at their best during Anna Bella's menstrual-induced hallucination.  Here, Ms. Hargate's dark yet delightfully effervescent Anna Bella goes on a journey that takes her nowhere, where she encounters an assortment of animal-spirit guides who teach her survival skills for the outside world, all played magnificently by Ms. Wood. 

Cassie Neumann portrays Three/Anna Bella Eema, a mud doll made by Anna Bella that serves as her best friend and alter ego, and who simultaneously coddles and torments her mother.  Ms. Neumann is wonderfully haunting as the staring golem.  She also plays an assortment of outside intruders, including a clueless social worker, a police officer and a benevolent Frankenstein, and does so well.  

Promoted as a dark comedy, this collaborative Cleveland Public Theatre and Theater Ninja production of Anna Bella Eema is not as humorous as advertised.  It is, however, an intriguing, thought-provoking and thoughtfully presented piece of avant-garde drama that should not be missed.

Anna Bella Eema continues through February 13 (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sunday at 3:00pm) at the CPT Storefront Studio in Cleveland.  For tickets, which range from $10 to $21, call 216-631-2727 or visit www.cptonline.org.
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