By Claire DeMarco
Siblings Sheila (Mia Hill) and David (Charlie Kennedy) are on their way home, sloppy drunk. Floundering through a park, they appear to fall down into a deep sleep.
Waking up the next morning, standing up ready for the challenges of a new day, they can’t move their feet. They’re grounded! Rooted like trees.
Family, friends and strangers come to commiserate, support or just stare at this phenomenon.
Sheila and David’s grandmother, Baba (Cecilia Staggers) demonstrates her support by pitching a tent near her two grandchildren.
David’s partner, Jared (Sam Gibson) learns of his dilemma through the newspapers. He is appalled at David’s situation and quickly dumps him.
Friend Charlotte (Giovanna Marino) pops in, spending more time bemoaning her mother’s dependency than commiserating with Sheila’s dilemma.
Terry (Audrey Klein), a local vendor occasionally stops by selling snacks.
Saul (Logan Kearney) travels from Cleveland in pursuit of what he believes is a religious happening.
Julian (Camani Campbell) and Tavish (Adrian Escalona) join the group.
Norman (Christopher Rone) literally comes out of the bushes to join the others.
Their experiences as a community are filled with the same angst and tensions that any community or group encounters. It is also a community where everyone is welcome and equal including gays, straight, religious and those of different races.
Protecting and supporting Sheila and David is the group’s main concern.
They are able to thwart the occasional threats from local government concerning their setup in the park.
Jumping ahead seven years the group is still aligned with the “planted” siblings. New members now include 5-year-old Ezra (Jaylan Gardner) and Sheryl (Morgan Zeidman). It is apparent that they have collectively and individually grown.
The groups’ survival and real threat comes into question when a developer is determined to build a mall where the group and the “trees” reside.
Note: This is a great production of a bizarre play. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that you don’t think about and ponder how David and Sheila handled bodily functions or survived winters in Connecticut. It is not a traditional play with a plot line and conclusion. Let your imagination fill in the missing pieces!
Hill is at first emotionally stymied by the change in her world, worrying about missed flights and pending appointments in her home in Seattle. She comes to terms with her new world and is frankly content.
As David, Kennedy is pragmatic about his new closeness with nature. Kennedy shows much of his character’s emotion through great facial maneuvers and side looks.
Imagine playing a part in an English-speaking play speaking entirely in Polish. That’s what Staggers does brilliantly and effectively as Baba.
Marino delights as Sheila’s self-centered friend popping in and out of Sheila’s life as the mood suits her.
As the flamboyant gay, Jared’s timing is excellent. His movements and facial expressions add to his comedic timing.
Kearney’s earnestness is palpable and is convinced that Sheila and David’s novel situation is truly a religious event.
Klein develops Terry from the pesky small time snack vendor into a formidable entrepreneur.
What a wonderful ensemble of actors.
Lighting Designer Andre Segar provides striking visual movements behind the seven large symbolic trees on stage. These movements display without comment a change in season or the environment in general.
Tremendous job by Language Coach Eva Kamienska-Carter with excellent direction by Adil Mansoor.
“The Trees” was written by Agnes Borinsky.
-CED
“The Trees” runs from October 10 to October 20 at Point Park Playhouse’s Rauh Theater, 350 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.
