Refuge from the Storm
"Refuge from the Storm" is a production that seems beset with a plethora
of no-no's, only to slap its audience square in the face by the curtain call
with the reality of its own brilliance.
Actors Group Theatre is approximately the same size as its endearing lobby,
with probably about 30 seats hugging the stage, making it even more exciting
to watch this play about Tom and Doris Dexter, who fall in love all over again
when their family is threatened by a failing marriage.
Following the sinking of their boat, the Dexters take refuge from the storm in a
small Irish bar near the sea cliffs of Maine called Burke's Tavern. Believing they
are alone for the evening, the unhappy couple bickers about their mutual infidelities
and the collapse of their 20-year union. The arguments are soon interrupted when
the storm forces in a few more characters, resulting in a night of hostility and
awkward life story telling. Sounds boring, doesn't it? Assuredly, without giving away
the ending, it is one of the most thrilling and entertaining plays you'll see the rest of
the summer.
Writer/Director Bill Murphy has a full bag of tricks, used surreptitiously and sidelined
with terrifically choreographed dialogue.
Barbara Keegan and Austin Grehan play sweetly together as the owners of the tavern,
Martha and Bert. Steve Gunning is an insulting Father Gray, who could use his tongue
to clip a hedge. Gunning is a masterful deadpan comic actor and is gleefully rabid in each
insult he fast pitches to the sinners of the tavern. Chase McKenna is absolutely charming
as she portrays Candy, the prostitute who could talk the teeth out of a saw. At first, I was
annoyed by the fallacies of this character, but, again, I was proved wrong toward the end,
when I "figured it all out."
Gretchen Koerner and Michael Harrity (Tom and Doris Dexter) equally sharpen each scene
with the quick swipes of their emotional pendulums, while David Love (Jim) performs with
concentrated skill, sharing the spotlight respectfully with his fellow actors. Love never
once asks the audience to look at him and has the chutzpah to be a phenomenal film actor.
Dane Bowman (Mike) nudges the audiences into his world with phenomenal performance value,
taking shine away from whoever stands alongside him.
The only thing I would like to complain briefly about is a plot twist that is openly hinted about
early on in the story regarding Jim and Tom's consanguineous relationship. It is something I
didn't want to figure out so soon. Other than that, "Refuge from the Storm" is a phenomenally
rare find for an original play.
On a grading scale - A. Maith thú!!!
Through August 10th at the Actors Group Theatre in North Hollywood.
For reservations, call (323) 960-7719.
Cast - GRETCHEN KOERNER, MICHAEL HARRITY, BARBARA KEEGAN, AUSTIN GREHAN,
SETH CASKEY, ROD DAVIDSON, DANE BOWMAN, KASSANDRA WOODLEY-CONNOLLY,
CHASE MCKENNA, DAVID LOVE, STEVE GUNNING