Lucas Hnath’s mother was working as a chaplain at a hospice when she fell under the influence of a sociopath. She was captured and abused by this man for five months before she was rescued. Eventually, she was able to tell her story to interviewer Steve Cosson. Mr. Hnath has adapted the interviews into a 75-minute play, which closed tonight at the Kurt Douglas Theatre.
Dierdre O’Connell plays Dana by lip-syncing to the actual taped interview of Hnath’s mother. There is clearly theatrical magic involved in this feat, and Steve Cuiffo is credited as “Illusion and Lip Sync Consultant.” But Ms. O’Connell’s accomplishment is considerable. As is the audience’s—75 minutes can seem like a long time with this content.
To its credit, the theatre is sponsoring talk backs, and after the performance I saw information posted in the bathroom related to getting help, reporting this sort of abuse and even intervening (carefully) if one sees signs that abuse is occurring. And Mr. Hnath’s play is more theatrical than might be imagined at the start (credit also goes to director Les Waters).
While this is the world premiere, the Goodman Theatre is also involved, so I imagine that this performance may have closed the LA run, and others will follow. Despite the subject matter, and maybe because of it, “Dana H” is essential viewing for anyone who loves the power of actors speaking words that light up the dark.
Bill, in San Diego |
