Two years in winter 2002 a version of Kate Snodgrass' "The Glider" was staged at the Women on Top Festival. The current production at the Boston Playwrights' Theatre, where Ms. Snodgrass is the Artistic Director, is perhaps the most effective there this year, and the equal of anything seen in town so far this season--and perhaps last. The show brings together three fine young actresses, each of whom has appeared in significant productions in Boston, all of whom are working elsewhere this season. The action centers around three sisters, gathered one night after their mother's funeral, on the porch of the family's boathouse overlooking a Michigan lake. Francesca, a National Geographic photographer played by Laura Latreille, has returned home for the first time in five years. Estella, played by Birgit Huppuch, lives in the state with her husband Max and two kids. Christina, the youngest who's been caring for their mother, is played by Kimberly Parker Green. Under the sure hand of director Wesley Savick, these three form a flawless ensemble, realizing much of the potential in Snodgrass' work.
Latreille received a 2003 Norton for the lead in "The Shape of Things" and was praised later in the year as the femme fatale in "Of Mice and Men", but went back to Canada for last season. Huppuch appeared last fall at the BPT in both "Haymarket" and "Monticel'", but recently has been working in NYC where she appeared in New Century's "The Man Who Came to Dinner". Green, a recent B.U. BFA had the title role in "Pictures of Patty Hearst" at BPT, but has recently been working in the Washington DC area. They've never performed together but their chemistry in this show is electrifying, a testimony not only to their talent, but Snodgrass' dialogue and character development. Snodgrass is the author of the much anthologized "Haiku", winner of the Heidmann Award from the Actor's Theatre of Louisville as well as "Observatory Conditions", recipient of 1999 IRNE Award for Best New Play.
The technical support for this production is superior as well. IRNE winner Richard Chambers, now teaching at Suffolk University, has created a wonderfully realistic dilapidated boathouse complete with a canoe in the rafters as a broad open set for the piece. The attention to detail echoes the performances. Rachel Padula-Shufelt has given the actresses costumes which seem integral to their characters. MFA candidate Andrew Foley has lit the show with believable shadows. IRNE winner Haddon Kime has provided another unique soundscape, which slides in under the action from time to time. While all these elements contribute to a satisfying theatrical experience, this cast could probably play the show on a bare stage with a few essential props and some chairs. The significant porch glider of the title would be missed however.
The only disappointment is that there's no way to move this show to another venue where it could have a decent run, especially since the cast will be pursuing their careers put of town. This show may well be mounted again by another company, but this current production will be hard to top. The final show in this fall series will be local playwright Ginger Lazarus' "Matter Familias" which will feature another powerful cast. These include Nancy E. Carroll, last seen at BPT in Nora's "The Unexpected Man", currently in "Company"; Barlow Adamson, seen last fall in "Haymarket": Helen McElwain currently play Beezus in "Ramona Quimby" at Wheelock and veteran of the Boston Theatre Marathon, and Kortney Adams seen in "After Mrs. Rochester" for Wellesley Summer Theatre.