By Shannon Milliman
Sordid Lives delivers a gut punch with funny passion at Portland’s Twilight Theatre Company. Del Shores’ creation, directed by Meghan Daaboul, illuminates the playwright’s most famous script with a crisp freshness. Sordid Lives puts a wacky cast of religious Texans at the unfortunate funeral of their cheating family matriarch. The snappy dialogue affirms why Del Shore would be deserving of winning Drama-logue awards for this show: Best Production, Best Playwriting, and Best Directing. It leaves the audience with memorable messages: Life it short, don’t wait to heal. You can make amends on your own time, in your own way, it might be in heels, maybe with a feather boa, maybe cross-dressing but whatever your way is, don’t take too much time to stop and smell the tuna casserole, this sordid life we life is meant for the living.
The ensemble has the ability to genuinely connect with one another, like they really are family in good, bad, and ugly situations. They own their mistakes and misgivings, learning and growing from one another, even when it is inconvenient. This is what is best about Twilight Theatre Company talent–the cast gives dynamic and zany characters charm and spunk where audiences least expect it, even during a funeral or at a shrink’s office.
The play follows a dysfunctional family and community who are trying the best they can to make it all work. Latrelle Williamson’s (Christie Quinn) line, “Did you ever think I don’t want to know the truth?” hit a chord issuing a call to action because, even when the truth is not what we prefer, confronting it and loving because of it, brings union.
The troubadour, Bitsy Mae Harling (Brie Ellis) brings emotional tenderness and the complexity of an outlier to her role. Ty Williamson, (Jonathan Miles) feels sympathy and plays the role in a way that makes it clear how much he loves his momma in spite of her flaws. It reminds all audiences to let grace play a role.
Ravyn Jazper-Hawke, playing Sissey Hickey, killed it. Her humor caused so much laughter that my belly felt like I did somersaults. She is funny and brings original, physical comedy and creative delivery to her already-hilarious lines and makes the character relatable. She is exactly that one aunt that everyone seems to have, with all her perfectly imperfect quirks. The audience never seemed to want her to leave the stage.
Noleta Nethercott, played by Crystal Lemons, “carpe-d” the diem. The dynamic interplay she and LaVonda Dupree (Deone Jennings) have, especially in the female empowerment scenes, puts the audience on a roller coaster of delight. The playwright’s implied advice for the weak is to never cross Noleta or LaVonda because you will come to regret it. The audience, on the other hand, is left begging for more. Could an evening get more fun than being at a seedy bar with G.W. Nethercott (Ted Hartsook), Wardell Owens (Case Faubs), Odell Owens/Preacher (Jonathan Wexler)? I think not. You will love the physical comedy, the manic evolution of what starts out as a regular night out with the guys and turns into anything but. Wexler’s creative interpretation of props makes for unexpected fun. You will never see regular old string in the same light again.
Dr. Eve Bolinger (Daabuhl) is not the kind of psychiatrist you will want if you are after “de-homosexualization” or any kind of “treatment” if we are honest. If she doesn’t have her license revoked by now, you will grit your teeth and cover your eyes at all things unprofessional in this doctor’s office. But, oh, her commanding presence is unforgettable. Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram, (John Killeen) living his truth with sincerity and grit and perfect mascara is a crowd pleaser. He evokes happiness in the audience and really emotes and made me feel all the complexity of a soul misunderstood. There might be something to walking in another man’s high heels to make you remember empathy uplifts us all.
Director Daabuhl guides this cast with grace and clarity. She had a vision and she executed it. This cast loves each other like family and I felt it.
The classy production team worked copacetically with the actors. Producer Dorinda Toner set an energy of warmth and strong support that was evident in a clean execution. Karen Root led an organized team of shadow strength as Stage Manager. The costumes by Kelcey Weaver added levity and whimsy that felt straight out of a genuine Texas Good Will store, oh that 90’s belt and that mink stole. A special surprise included Chrys Chabot’s wig design talent. You have never seen a Tammy Wynette look-alike until you’ve seen Chabot’s handiwork. Mike Stafford and Evie Ovalle, Sound Design and Booth Operator, make us forget we were at a play. The backstage team is sewn tight and steady and enables the cast to shine without hesitation. I was impressed with the consistency of the entire cast’s accurate and realistic Texas accents – thank you, Mary McDonald Lewis for making me believe I was really, truly, bless your soul, in the great, lone-star state.
You owe it to yourself, your own complicated past, and your dead grandmother (may she rest in peace) to see Sordid Lives at the Twilight Theatre Company in Portland. It is sweet; it highlights the good in every character, no matter how terrible a choice a character might make, they each come off as a good person. Something about that resonated deep within me. I do not want to be known for my worst moments. Neither do these lovely characters. Remember me for my best highlights. Remember them for their ability to transcend their base moments. When you go to this uplifting show you will leave ready to give yourself and everyone around you, a second chance. Even when they might not deserve it. This talented cast and crew create a thing of beauty, humor and light and those truths are anything but sordid.
Twilight Theatre Company presents Sordid Lives by Del Shores.
Twilight Theatre Company, 7515 N Brandon, Portland, Oregon 07217
January 24–February 9, 2020. Thursdays–Saturdays, 8:00 PM, January 26–February 9, Sundays, 3:00 PM
Tickets: $18.00-$24.00 – Adults, $16.00-$22.00 – Students & Military (with ID) and Seniors (60+) ticket price increases by $2.00 if purchased at the door.
Contact: 503-847-9838
Twilight Theatre Company Facebook Page
Sordid Lives Facebook Event
0 Comments