Welcome Home Jenny Sutter
Last year Oanh Nguyen served as associate-director on South
Coast Repertory's world premiere of "The Happy Ones," written by
local playwright, Julie Marie Myatt. That makes "Welcome Home,
Jenny Sutter" their second collaboration.
If you saw SCR's terrific production of Myatt's heart-warming
comedy, you know why Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle gave her
the Ted Schmitt Award for outstanding new play of the year.
Myatt and Nguyen worked so well together they agreed to tackle
this current project, which made its Southern California debut last
weekend. In other words, "Jenny Sutter" has been "welcomed home"
officially by the Chance Theater-- an intimate space in the Anaheim
Hills that Orange Coast Magazine calls "The Best Small Theater" in
the county.
According to the program, Myatt's play is a present-day story of
personal recovery and acceptance. But it's much much more than that.
Jenny's travail is a timeless, universal story--a triumph of human
spirit and courage over fear, frailty, ignorance, and loss of dignity--
a story that has resonated throughout recorded history.
In essence: Upon her return from Iraq, a young wounded Marine
Sergeant finds herself lost in the California desert without the
physical body or emotional confidence that she once possessed.
Unable to go home to her family with an artificial leg, Jenny
wanders aimlessly around without direction or purpose. Then quite by
accident, she winds up in "Slab City"-- an uncharted, no-where-place
where a make-shift group of lost souls and outcasts have banded
together and formed a laissez-faire community.
In such an environment (with no expectations from anyone, few
rules or regulations, and total acceptance from a motley bunch of
strangers), Jenny is able to find herself and get on with her life.
That's the basic plot-line, but be prepared. Under Nguyen's
insightful, humane direction, Myatt's work becomes a gut-wrenching
experience--both emotionally and theatrically. To be totally
convincing with such "out-sider" fringe characters is extremely
difficult; but true to its reputation, the Chance cast is superb.
Aside from Nguyen's astute direction, the success of this taunt
drama depends largely on the actor who plays the lead; and Brenda
Banda's portrayal of Jenny hits the bull's eye. Repressed and
unresponsive, closely guarded and tightly triggered, ready to explode
at any minute, Jenny is a simmering powder-keg.
By contrast, Lou (beautifully captured by Jennifer Ruckman) is a
neurotic, non-stop chatter-box who is addicted to everything (sex,
drugs, booze, you name it), and she's over-the-top about everyone.
Throw in Cheryl (the wonderful Karen Webster), Slab City's
resident therapist, a former beautician with a good heart; Buddy (the
versatile Casey Long), Slab City's sweet, wanna-be preacher who was
almost beaten to death by his parents; and Donald (Brandon Sean
Pearson), the mysterious, deeply troubled artist who keeps to himself
but lashes out when people get too close; then watch life happen.
In essence, all of Myatt's characters were lost souls in the city;
but they've learned to survive in the desert when left to their own
devices. In like manner, their non-judgemental view of life serves
as a safety-net for Jenny's dilemma. Given the "acceptance" of total
strangers, and enough time to sort things out, Jenny is able to
"accept herself" and go home to her family.
"Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter" is a must-see. It continues at The
Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, through May 16.
Performances take place Friday-Saturday at 8:00 pm, Sunday at 2:00
pm, and Thursday, May 13 at 8:00. For ticket information call (714)
777-3033 or go on line at www.chancetheater.com