‘Plank’– Written by John Greiner-Ferris.
Directed by Megan Schy Gleeson. Presented by the Alley Cat Theater at the
Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston
Center for the Arts
through September 16
Playwright John Greiner-Ferris’ metaphorical
new work makes the case for an idyllic isolationist existence in nature versus
what he sees as the rigid structure and empty spiritual realm of digitized 21st Century. And while his vision may be a little
black and white, it’s a game effort, worth seeing for its visuals as well as
the performance by lead actor Poornima Kirby. Kirby is utterly charming as
Potpee (Person on the Plank), the guileless young woman who finds herself
adrift at sea before washing up on the shores of a seemingly Trump-less but
nonetheless hostile USA-like land, where we are apparently powerless over the
Facebook/cell phone/celebrity culture that is stealing our souls.
The play
opens with Potpee bursting from underwater to the surface (with the aid of some
indeterminate sea creatures), where she clutches to a chunk of the titular wood
to keep afloat, then physically and mentally drifts for an undetermined stretch
of time. Greiner-Ferris enlists the help of scenic designer Ji Young Han, lighting/projections
designer Barbara Craig, and sound designers Ned Singh to create a world that
allows the audience to suspend disbelief as they transform the theater space
into a starlit ocean, complete with rolling seas supplied by the balletic
movements of four actors and original music by Peter Warren & Matt Somalis.
There is no choreographer listed, so credit for coordinating the movement must
go to director Megan Schy Gleeson, whose pacing also keeps the audience engaged
despite long pauses during the at-sea scenes.
The ocean
takes care of Potpee’s needs, as a sandwich, a soda and a copy of Moby Dick
magically appear, and she spends her days deep in thought, conversing only with
a whale and her calf. When she finally comes upon land, she meets Mercedes, an
over-the-top authoritarian (Liz Adams in a trademark high-status performance)
who is costumed in what can only be described as a cross between a flaming red
Drum Majorette outfit and a uniform from whatever army Michael Jackson thought
he was commanding – complete with a matching 55 gallon star-spangled handbag.
She also meets Thimble (Sydney Grant), a somewhat timid young woman, who, while
acceding to the commands of the domineering Mercedes, seems open to the ideas
that Potpee espouses – that life can be more than just going along to get along
if you’re willing to take risks.
At an hour and 45 minutes, Plank may be a
little long for some tastes (not this reviewer), and Greiner-Ferris may be
painting with too broad a brush to make a really meaningful statement, but it
is visually beautiful, with strong performances by the cast, including Fray
Cordero and Adam Lokken as sea elements Swell and Fetch. If you’re looking for
something out of the ordinary that also takes a few comical jabs at our digital
obsessions, this is worth a look. For more info, go to: www.alleycattheater.org
