Handsome Devils – a review of “Witch”

By Michael Buzzelli

When Scratch (Max Pavel) comes to a rural village to tempt the local witch, Elizabeth Sawyer (Shammen McCune), all hell, literally and figuratively, breaks loose in Jen Silverman’s dark comedy, “Witch.”

Scratch is a handsome devil, but he’s not THE devil, he’s mid-level management for Beelzebub in a satanic pyramid scheme.  He’s pitching money, power and true love all for the measly price of a human soul.

When this particular devil breezes into town, he sets his sights on Cuddy (Matt Henderson). The boy, the closeted son of the fiefdom, son to Sir Arthur (Brett Kennedy), who prefers Morris Dancing to dating, is willing to cut a deal. He both loves and hates the rival of his father’s affections, Frank Thorney (Ryan Patrick Kearney).

Frank is secretly married to Winnifred, (Lorna Lominac), a maid in the castle. When Frank realizes he could be the heir to the tiny fiefdom, over the rightful heir, Cuddy, he seizes the opportunity and dumps Winnifred like a hot potato. She does not take it well.

Cuddy is tempted by Scratch. Then, Frank is tempted by Scratch. The only one who won’t give in to the temptations is the aforementioned witch, Elizabeth, who turns out to be a lonely woman in the woods. Her denial of Scratch’s iron clad agreement causes him to look deeper into the abyss, and the devil gets his due, or, rather, the soul stealer finds his own soul.

Whether they are maidens, mothers, or crones, witches are hot right now. With the success of “Agatha All Along,” “The Discovery of Witches” and “The Mayfair Witches,” the sorceresses are in style.

Witch is style and substance.  It’s heart and soul. It is a timeless tale told in contemporary vernacular, both witty and wise. 

Pavel is a handsome devil indeed, everything Scratch should be. He is charismatic, charming and churlish, a mischievous rogue, and with a soul.

Henderson seems born to play Cuddy. The part is so perfectly aligned with Matt and his sensibilities. When an actor crushes a role, it’s hard to picture anyone else in the part.  Think: Peter Falk in “Columbo,” Tony Shaloub in “Monk,” or Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: Next Generation,” and “Picard.”

McCune has the gravitas to command any stage.  Her Elizabeth is too smart to be seduced, but, possibly, too smart to ever love or be loved. It’s a tragic flaw, and McCune mines it, giving subtextual layers upon layers. There is wisdom and aching sadness, and undeniable rage.

Kearney does a marvelous job as the smarmy villager. Frank is a man who expects to get everything with his self-confidence and good looks. The high school jock/bully who becomes a senator, smiling while stabbing people in the back. Frank is the other handsome devil in the show and far more motivated than Scratch.

Lominac, last seen in “Arcadia” at Point Park University, is gracing the professional Pittsburgh theater scene for the first time. It won’t be the last. She makes a stunning impression.  Winnifred seems like a minor character until the last few moments of the play when she finally finds some agency.

Kennedy, who has a more minor role, is also perfect for the part.

Director Ingrid Sonnichsen finds the core to each character and opens the actors up to their most vulnerable selves. The cast is at their best under her helm.

There’s a fight scene, choreographed by Randy Kovitz that is both dramatic and hilarious.

Jenn Bechak’s scenic design is a wonder; opulent castle on one side, rustic witch’s hut on the other.  Gnarled branches festoon Elizabeth Sawyer’s cottage giving it a real witchy vibe.

All art is political, and “Witch” is a powerful play at the right time with the right actors.  Silverman’s underlying message of the show is a visceral gut punch to the soul.

If you get invited to the play, tell your date that you’ll be there with bells on, or, better yet, conjure up your own ticket.

-MB

“Witch” runs from March 7fd to March 22 at the Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For tickets and more information, click here.