I really loved this production. Even though Dunagan had the flashier role, the play is really about Morton's character. She is the one who evolves and changes over the course of the story. I think Morton's character is much harder to play, and she did a really outstanding job. My personal vote would have gone to Morton, although Dunagan gave an excellent performance.
(spoilers)
I really liked Phylicia Rashad's take on the mother. Dunagan was steamrolling over her family. Rashad's take was a much slyer one -- her Violet seemed very bewildered but every now and then, the mask would slip a bit. And then at the end, it completely came off. I don't think Rashad's Violet was completely calculating, but she definitely played up her ailments to her benefit.
In addition to the cast members mentioned above, I think Mariann Mayberry was really outstanding. The deliver of her parting words about going to Belize with her boyfriend was perfect. "Come January, I'll be in Belize. Doesn't that sound nice?" |
