Nothing can keep a good company down! In spite of some rough earlier "housing" problems, Keegan Theatre has a strongly acted winner with Synge's The Playboy of the Western World.

 

Success of any play is allowing an audience to have strong rapport with all of the characters in a historical time and place. So it is with this production. Mark Rhea performs magic in both the perfect casting and directing his talented cast. The potential "hanging" scene which closes the show is breathtaking.

 

Carlos Bustamante is proving to be the most detailed actor with his flashes of genius. Simple things like scratching his back with a gift of a shillelagh is a wonderful touch. Although he was too deep into Irish accent at times, one always understood him since his non-verbals completed the thoughts. Helen Pafumi, as Pegeen, had a charming arrogance which covered her character's frustration with the disappointing mating behaviors of Irish men. Her selected apprehensive suitor was played by Mike Kozemchak in appropriate spineless fashion. Kevin Adams played the charming old coot as Christy's father and was loudly applauded after his opening scene upon exiting. Mark Adams (also playing Synge), and John Porter provided the spice-of-life Irish personalities. Chuck Whalen played the father who thought control of his daughter was a family duty and was aghast whenever Pegeen showed her independent streak. Maggie Bush gave a fine rendering of a frustrated widow always looking for another toy boy. Jennifer Richter, Emily Riehl-Bedford and Gianna D'Emilio provided much joy as the teenagers who thrilled at the father-murdering idol in their midst.

 

The play is a very warm comedy about a braggart who gets his comeuppance and loses the love of his life. Sounds, lights and stage set provided a most appropriate ambience. This production allowed a most happy audience to leave the Church Street Theater. It is highly recommended for a delightful night out. (To 3/19)