Recent Tragic Events

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

Brilliant dialogue writing captures the attention with Craig Wright’s poignant play Recent Tragic Events, produced by Next Stage currently running at The Phoenix theatre. Four very distinct characters meld together showcasing the strong talents of four artistic actors. Wright began writing his play immediately following the events of 9/11.

(Left to Right) Jenny Hecht, Gene Kato and Janelle Kato in a scene from Next Stage’s Recent Tragic Events.

Although there are some who feel it is too soon to artistically portray references to 9/11, it is a truth, tragic events happen every day. Perhaps not on such a large scale, at least in this country, but happen they do.

On September 12, in a Minneapolis apartment Waverly Wilson, (Janelle Kato) prepares herself for a blind date with Andrew, (Bernie Cardell). Stunned by 9/11 and nervous over a bind date, Janelle with her expertise gives detail to Waverly with expressions, body movement, wearing her heart on one shoulder, wearing cool on the other. Cardell’s portrait of Andrew captures the demeanor of the bookstore manager he is. Naive, nervous, wearing the “will- she-like-me? -I-don‘t-think-so, -nobody-could-nobody-would-I-think-I-have-made-a- terrible-mistake” plastered across his face encompassing his entire body. He has created a magnificent character to play opposite the unnerved Waverly.

Gene Kato grabs the stage as Waverly’s down the hall neighbor, a worldly laid-back devil-may-care musician. The meshing of Ron and Andrew is worth the price of the ticket alone.

The fourth, almost silent, character Nancy, who is staying with Ron, joins them when they order pizza, deciding because of the 9/11 events, they want to stay in. They want to be together. Deliciously played by Jenny Hecht, Nancy says little, but her subtle expressions and body language are priceless.

A fifth character voiced by Nancy, is a gloriously decorated sock puppet representing the author Joyce Carol Oates, which she is, but then again she isn’t. Oates is the pretend aunt of Waverly, because she is and then again she isn’t.

Strange coincidences unfold between Waverly and Andrew. It becomes clear there is a strong possibility Waverly’s twin sister might have been in the World Trade Center on 9/11. This turns Waverly into knots, prompting strong dialogue between Ron and sock puppet Oates. On a charming set designed by Gene Kato reflecting the apartment of a single professional young woman, the topsy-turvy mixture of energies, emotions, and thoughts verbalized and nonverbal provides a heart felt scenario.

With the exquisite cast, and brilliant writing, the play stands tall on its own legs. Another aspect of the play weakens its impact with the involvement of Sara Mae Johnson who addresses the audience as Stage Manager on a play of interference. Interfering because it appears as though the playwright feels the need to apologize for what he has written. Interference because it appears he wants to apologize for dealing with 9/11 head on. There is the wanting to lighten the situation with a few laughs, and then apologize for the making light of it to say no this is, after all, very serious. This interference smacks the face of intelligence, which is no fault of Johnson corralled by the script. The candle at the end intrudes on audience space. There is the wanting to graciously applaud the cast for their excellent portrayals and production. That opportunity is denied. House lights were wanted. The opportunity to express appreciation to the cast and Next Stage was wanted. As compelling as the playwright is to script his thoughts, he degraded his brilliance by halfway apologizing for what he was writing.

The play contains thoughtful poignant moments as well as some honest comedic interaction by a top of the class cast. No one needs to apologize for anything.