Live theater really only needs a play, actors, and an audience. When the play is well written, the actors solid, and the audience appreciative, magic can happen and the experience stays with the participants long after the theater lights go out.
Circle Mirror Transformation written by Annie Baker, directed by John Hruschka and produced by the Next Stage is that type of an experience.
Visualize an acting class with one teacher, Marty, and four students. The class consists of the teacher’s husband James, Theresa, an attractive young woman who has had some acting experience, Schultz, a young, recently divorced man, and a sixteen year old girl, Lauren, who wants to learn to act.
Through very brief scenes, the class exercises slowly reveal the fears, truths, and hidden feelings of not only the students, but of the teacher as well. The audience watches characters reveal layers of themselves, as well as relationships that develop and fall apart.
Director Hruschka has paced the show perfectly. From the very quiet opening, through the angry scenes, to the tranquil ending when each person accepts who he is, the audience stayed connected to the characters.
The cast consisted of two regulars, Caitlin Osborn (Marty) and Tom McClary (her husband James). We have come to expect great performances from these two veteran actors. Tom has perfected the “puzzled/bewildered look” so it always comes as a surprise that he can do angry scenes so well.
Lauren Strauss (Theresa) and Sebastian Arroyo (Shultz) were new names for me. Both of them have the ability to appear perfectly cast in their parts, as if there is no “acting” involved. They also each had an opportunity to show tender moments that were very believable.
High school sophomore Julia Laplante (Lauren) is not a new face, but one that the area definitely should be watching. Through her facial expressions and body language we watched a very insecure little girl mature before our eyes.
I have learned to always expect the unexpected from the Next Stage and once again I was not disappointed. If you have not found this group and you enjoy meaningful theater, you have this weekend to check out Circle Mirror Transformation, winner of the 2010 Obie Award for The Best New American Play.
Performances will be April the 6th at 8:00, April the 7th at 2:00 and 8:00 and April the 8th at 2:00. The Studio Space is located in the State Theater on College Avenue in State College. Tickets are $16 (students and seniors $14).
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