I’m a Walt McGough fan. He invents quirky characters and
always gives them intelligent dialogue…but I just don’t get
extra-terrestrial/zombie plays and CHALK (playing at BPT through Jan.26th)
is about an alien invasion. Everyone but me loves INVASION OF THE BODY
SNATCHERS (both incarnations), don’t they? Oh dear. They sent out the wrong
reviewer.
Here’s the low down: McGough’s zombie aliens have to eat
humans alive in order to get nourishment from their memories, not from “brains”
as is widely (incorrectly) believed. This gives some aliens terrible
indigestion which is evidently how you know they’re youngsters. (I wondered if
they threw back people with Alzheimer’s or impaired memory but McGough didn’t
go there.)
However, should you ever hear that the body snatchers have
invaded, grab some chalk (or baby powder because they can’t tell the difference
with their inferior noses) and mark your territory. That’s what Christine Power
does and it works pretty well for her…that is, until the mother and child
reunion. Fresh Ink director Sarah Gazdowicz gets impressive performances from
Power as mother and Caroline Rose Markham as the wild child Power is determined
to rescue.
Markham
moves like an animal on the prowl. When she rolls her eyes up into her lids and
snarls, she’s positively frightening. Neon is somehow involved in her
transformation but I couldn’t figure it out. I’m afraid I’m hopelessly at sea
where zombies and aliens are concerned but if that’s your cup of tea, enjoy the
ride.
