Creating Claire at The George Street Playhouse

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/3/10 at 11:39pm

“What if you’re wrong? Abigail, an autistic 16-year-old, puts the question to an adult who has just assured the child that there is no God. The girl's retort, however — "What if you're wrong?" — has implications far beyond that conversation. The title character is Abigail's mother, Claire Buchanan, a docent at a science museum where her friend, Victoria Halstead, is director. Claire leads visitors on the Origins of Life Tour, reciting a script that focuses on Charles Darwin's concept of evolution. A reference in the script to "random mutation" complicates Claire's attempt to understand how Abigail came to be the person she is. Eventually, Claire's contemplation creeps into her tours as she suggests to visitors that the processes of the physical universe may have been "designed." This behavior causes a crisis in Claire's relationship with Victoria and adds to the existing strain on Claire's relationship with her husband, Reggie, an atheist who has always thought of his wife as an agnostic.”

-http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100528/ENTERTAINMENT/100528018/Skillful-direction-acting-breathe-life-into-Creating-Claire

Please forgive me for not putting the story in my own words. I’m afraid that if I did, I would spoil the whole plot. This new play is so mind-boggling that I still can’t comprehend what I just saw - and that is a major compliment. This show just had me thinking and thinking and thinking and thinking and thinking and thinking.

That repetitiveness I just used: that’s how one of the main character speaks.


Lynn Cohen (Victoria): She was the most hard to understand, out of all the actors. The only time when you were right on level with her was in this angry monologue she yells to the audience. The power and struggle in her voice, when she’s mad, left me in awe. To be honest, I was a little scared of her after that.

Michael Countryman (Reggie): He was the only one who nailed the 180 degree effect of the characters perfectly. Also being scared of him when he got angry, I was anxious to know what would happen next to this character. I was very satisfied with his performance. I dare anyone to find a better actor to play this character more amazingly.

Celia Kennan-Bolger (Abigail): The highlight of the whole show; PERIOD! I thought that someone playing an autistic person would offend at least somebody. When she was on stage, everyone was right with her. They were all in that moment of “this girl is looking for something to believe in. I hope she finds it.” I praise her for what she has put into this show and character.

Barbara Walsh (Claire): Replacing Sandy Duncan, who was supposed to play Claire originally but left because of illness, I thought that ticket sales would drop. But how would I know, since the only person I know is Kennan-Bolger because of …Spelling Bee. This was the character that caused all the trouble and I hated every word she said, but that is a good thing. This show is controversial and she made is that way. If this show goes anywhere after it’s run in New Jersey, Walsh better be with it.

Joe DiPietro (Playwright): After seeing The Toxic Avenger and the outcome of Tony nominations of Memphis, both feel-good shows, I was NOT expecting to see a show like this be written from him. In the car ride home, I kept telling my mother that this show was “intense, serious, scary, mind blowing, thinking, and gahh!!!” Granted, the show seems very boring and mediocre in the first act, but it got more intense as it went on. During intermission, I thought that nothing would get me to be pulled back into the show, but I was really proven wrong. I was expecting to see him at the performance, but was not able to find him. If he wasn’t there he better be writing his Tony Award acceptant speech. This man is starting to become one of my favorite playwrights. Not sure if this show will work in New York since it will probably be compared to Doubt and Proof, both being provoking shows. Regardless, this man is on his way to the top and there is NO stopping him. Also, can’t wait to see what his new musical, with David Bryan, will be. Now I want to see Memphis.

David Saint (Director): In his letter to the audience, in the program, he stated that he “feels certain that this powerful new work will provoke heated discussions on your ride home and thoroughly exemplify our mission of enriching people‘s lives.” I just read that as I was writing this and he was certainly right. Not only did this show get me talking on the way home, but I heard people having good conversations about the show as they left. I thought I was starting to get sick of this guy, but I’m glad he has been with The George Street Playhouse for a long time. And I hope he stays even longer.

Michael Anania (Scenic Design): The stage is painted with all white walls, all at different slants and heights to create an illusion-sort-of-thing. The ceiling is open showing the lights and such. To partly cover it up and create a Big Bang Theory look, there are long shards of glass that almost resemble lighting. The floor is also slanted and has black and white tiles. One the walls there are two doors, at different heights and a circle indented in the middle of the wall with rectangles indented on each, again at different heights. As for props, there is one set that remains on each side of the stage. On the left, a bench, table, and two chairs to resemble a kitchen. On the right, a bar looking table with high chairs. All of these are moved around during the show to act as things other than furniture.

Michael Sharpe (Costume Design): Just a typical, today look; nothing different or special. Claire and Victoria usually wear dresses and Reggie usually wears casual pants and button down shirts. If my memory severs me right, Abigail wears something along the lines of a girly looking skirt with long pajama looking sleeves underneath.

Joe Saint (Lighting Design)/Michael Clark (Projection Design): The best part of the production of the show. There was basically a biology slide show on the stage, that I would typically see in my biology class. I remember learning about it in school and was very intrigued by it. Outstanding.

Christopher J. Bailey (Sound Design)/ Scott Killian (Composer): The music was very interesting at first, but as the show goes on, it seems to get repetitive. There are these bells, or bongos or something, that stand out the most. The same track was used during each transition between scenes.


I would recommend my biology teacher to see this show. I think she would love it. Haha! To anyone who loves to debate or thinking, this show is for you.

Creating Claire is running until this Sunday, June 6, at the George Street Playhouse. Thank you for reading this very long review and have a good day!

5 out of 5

http://www.georgestreetplayhouse.org/mainstage/creatingclaire

Creating Claire Video Preview Updated On: 6/3/10 at 11:39 PM