Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Providence College Theatre’s current show is “Beasts”, an original play written by current PC senior Thomas Edwards and directed by John Garrity, associate professor of theatre. This is the first time an original student written work will be presented as a mainstage production. According to the writer and director, “Beasts” tells the story of corruption in a small town in America called Ouranos and is fueled by Jason Anderson. He has the desire for power to control those around him including his wife and political assistant. Loyalty is everything and the truth is feared. There is no good and evil, only humanity. It is definitely a cautionary tale for our times At first glance you might think this was ripped out of headlines of our contemporary society but it flashes back and forth from 1945 to 1948. The show is narrated by Left Samael, the Angel of Death and Right Samael, the Demon of Temptation who appear at the start of each scene of the show. John Garrity casts eight strong college performers in these intense and gripping roles. The song “You Are My Sunshine” plays on the radio during the show. The set has chairs, tables, desks and other assorted furniture strewn about the stage and even some of them floating above the stage. It looks like a tornado hit the town as the audience witnesses the battle between good and evil and discovers the deadly sins that are committed including Envy, Pride, Greed and Wrath. Voices are heard by Jason but are they for vices or virtue? Secret relationships are revealed and one of the lessons learned is when you destroy love, life is meaningless.
Leading this talented cast is Tim Brown as the heavy drinking, overbearing
Mayor of Ouranos. (The way the town looks it should be Our Anus.) He delivers a
tour-de-force performance as this obsessed man. He abuses his wife, treats his
right hand man like dirt and controls his henchman with an iron fist. Tim
captures the larger than life character excellently as he displays his torment
as well as his diabolical side, too. He always delivers the goods in his roles
including playing Hamlet in Shakespeare’s longest play as well as the mad dog
killer in “Lord of the Flies.”
Every bit Tim’s equal is the multitalented Daniel Jameson as Mark Bernard, his right hand man who’s blind love and loyalty to his boss makes him do unthinkable deeds on his behalf. However the character has moments of clarity and guilt feelings and does the right thing. Daniel captures the essence of this tortured creature as his inner torment boils to the surface several times in the show. Abigail Joy plays the mistreated wife, Joyce wonderfully. Her facial expressions and angst at her husband’s terrible behavior is wonderful to behold. She also has moments of happiness to temper the pathos. I don’t want to give too many details away to spoil the show for the audience.
Bible passages used in the show include Exodus, Revelations and Matthew. “Love is patient, Love is Kind” is also used as well as references to “Of Mice and Men” when the wife is murdered in it. Katie Vennard and Carolyn Bradley play the Angel and Demon as they weave their way in and out of every scene making commentary on them and describing what year it is. They tie the loose threads of the show beautifully. Other talented cast members are Analisa Pisano who plays Joyce’s friend, Stephanie who hid her from Jason for three years, Mike Facenda as Bill Johnson, Jason’s thug for hire and Marc Lancia as Joseph Johnson, the good brother who wants to be a preacher like his father. Their father made the mistake of running against Jason in the mayoral election and was severely punished by doing so. So for an excellent original play that will make you wake up and face reality to what happens when an oppressive government is running things, be sure to catch “Beasts” at Providence College.
BEASTS (13 to 16 February)
Providence College Theatre, Bowab Studio Theatre, Smith Center for the Arts,
Eaton St., Providence, RI
1(401)865-2218 or www.theatre.providence.edu
