[NEohioPAL] Actors’ Summit’s ‘Chapatti’ Excellent

[Peter Spellos via NEohioPAL]

Actors’ Summit’s ‘Chapatti’ Excellent
*West Side Leader **By David Ritchey*



Dogs and cats usually aren't the subject of stage plays. However,
“Chapatti,” which is being performed by Actors’ Summit Theater through
March 13, is different.

Chapatti is the name of a dog. The cast of this 90-minute one-act play
brings one dog and about 16 cats to life on the Actors’ Summit’s stage at
Greystone Hall.

“Chapatti” deals with two lonely people, Dan (Neil Thackaberry) and Betty
(Anne McEvoy). Their pets, like glue, seem to hold their fragile lives
together — Dan has Chapatti and Anne has about 16 cats. Dan realizes he
needs more than his dog to make his life complete. Unfortunately, he sees
no opportunity to live a fulfilling life. He plans to give Chapatti away
and kill himself. Anne can’t take the dog; she has too many cats to care
for. As Dan and Anne deal with their pets they discover each other.

“Chapatti” isn’t a silly romance. Playwright Christian O’Reilly lives in
Ireland and writes about his countrymen. “Chapatti” is a fine script, which
is set in Dublin. This script works on several levels and the audience
should make an effort to enjoy this production on its various levels. Often
the characters speak directly to the audience and then move back to their
stage persona — talking to their pets, talking to themselves, and in
jewel-like moments, speaking to each other.

Forget the pets for a few moments. McEvoy and Thackaberry are marvelous
performers and they’re at the top of their skills in this production. The
quality production is due to the playwright’s fine script and Brian
Zoldessy’s strong direction. Zoldessy helped his performers strip away
artifice and to honestly and directly reveal their characters’ soul-searing
loneliness. Of course, we’re honored with two excellent performers.

The bare bones set (two chairs and two small tables) reflect the bareness
of Dan’s and Anne’s lives. The set design and construction by Perry
Catalano and Fred Sellers is perfect for this script and Greystone Hall.

This production of “Chapatti” is excellent. I enjoyed watching the story
unfold in the hands of two actors who made every line meaningful. This
production should not be missed.

It is good to see Thackaberry come out of retirement and take the stage
again.
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