Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Philadelphia

The Other Place
Walnut Street Theatre
Review by Rebecca Rendell | Season Schedule

Also see Rebecca's recent review of The Mountaintop and Cameron's review of Grounded


Johnnie Hobbs Jr. and Jane Ridley
Photo by courtesy of Walnut Street Theatre
The Other Place, currently in production at Walnut Street Theatre, is a story that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Juliana, a brilliant neurologist who patented the key component in a drug that may revolutionize dementia treatment, has given up research in favor of a cushy drug company job lecturing at medical conferences. When she has a strange "episode" during one of her lectures, she is left with serious questions about her health and her sanity. Jane Ridley does an effective job as the once formidable woman now struggling with a faltering mind, a troubled past, and an unnerving loss of control.

In director Dan Olmstead's production it is clear from very early on that Juliana is an unreliable narrator. The audience knows her version of events is not quite right, but we must wait to find out exactly how her perception differs from reality. Does she have brain cancer or is there something else going on? Why is Juliana's seemingly affable husband divorcing her? And what happened between Juliana and her estranged daughter? The experience is more of a slow and steady coming into focus rather than a series of dramatic plot twists, but it is well paced and captivating throughout.

Author Sharr White does not dwell in the sense of sadness and loss often associated with dementia, instead focusing on the frustration Juliana experiences as she tries to seek treatment for her illness and interact with her loved ones. Juliana is refreshingly manipulative and abrasive rather than pitiful. The scenes between Juliana and exasperated husband Ian (Johnnie Hobbs, Jr, gives an excellent performance) are absolutely captivating. Their interactions are moving without being bogged down by sentimentality and their relationship has a striking authenticity. Adrienne S. Wells and Tim Dugan are responsible for all of the other roles in the play. The confusion this causes is no doubt intentional, but it is also a little distracting.

There are a few other issues as well. The play would likely function better as a suspense drama and emotional experience if Juliana's mental problems were not obvious so early on. There would be more room for her to evolve and greater impact when she does. I was also left with questions about some of the unusual symptoms Juliana displays, which seem atypical.

Regardless of these issues, Walnut Street's current production is a fast paced and thoroughly engrossing evening of theater. The Other Place runs through October 30, 2016, in Walnut Street Theatre's Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia. For tickets visit www.walnutstreettheatre.org.

Cast
Juliana: Jane Ridley*
The Woman: Adrienne S. Wells*
Ian: Johnnie Hobbs, Jr.*
The Man: Tim Dugan*

Crew
Director: Dan Olmstead
Set Design: Roman Tatarowicz
Lighting Design: J. Dominic Chacon
Costume Design: Amanda Wolff
Sound and Projection Design: Mark Valenzuela
Stage Manager: Meg Lydon

* Denotes membership in Actors' Equity Association, the professional union of Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.