Doug Bechtel has shown us once again what an accomplished director can do with a talented cast, showcasing a stunning array of local actors in a funny, heartwarming play that has more than a little topicality. ‘The Curious Savage’, John Patrick’s delightful parable about greed, age, love, and a whole host of other important topics, is the perfect vehicle for a laugh-filled evening at the Grange. Set at The Cloisters, a genteel asylum for ‘guests’ struggling to cope with some kind of problem, ‘The Curious Savage’ centers on the hilarious struggle between an elderly lady and the grasping stepchildren out to get their hands on her fortune.
The “guests” at The Cloisters include Florence, struggling with the loss of her son, played beautifully be Luann Pamatian; Hannibal, a tone-deaf violin player nicely underplayed by Tom Gossett; and Miss Paddy, who hates everything, doesn’t believe in electricity, and constantly paints a seashore she’s never seen, wonderfully acted by Lin McNulty. Zach Knight gives his role as Jeff, a ‘guest’ with deep emotional scars from the war, more than one dimension, while Regina Zwilling, stepping in for an ailing Maria Massey, was perfect as Nurse Willie.
Tony Lee, playing the kindly Dr. Emmett, has all the right moves in the smooth performance we’ve come to expect from him. Katie Zwilling, as Fairy May, the young ‘guest’ who is convinced that she is stunningly beautiful despite all available evidence, and who needs to be constantly reassured that everyone loves her, was a sparkling, stunning delight in the first of what this reviewer hopes will be many, many performances on the local stage.
The evil stepchildren were played by three well-known local actors of more than passing ability, with John Mazzarella large in his role as Judge Samuel Savage, Maura O’Neill delightfully perfect as the grasping, much-married Lily Belle Savage, and Ron Herman the blustering image of a shopworn politician. As the worldly counterparts to the warm and gentle lifestyle of the “guests” at The Cloisters, Mazzarella, O’Neill and Herman are ideally cast. Quin Wildman-Gossett threw the flannel quilt over our hearts as Florence’s young son John Thomas in the final scene of the play, as the audience drew in the artful imagery of each of the ‘guests’ realizing their dream.
These strong performances by amazingly capable local actors were needed to offset the sheer PRESENCE of Leslie Liddle, who gave a beautiful, gentle, funny and touching performance as Ethel Savage, the wealthy widow. Liddle is an impressive performer, and this role suits her very, very well. Kate Hansen, Bill Westlake, Lynda Sanders and many others played important parts in bringing this wonderful production to the stage, but I have to say that Doug Bechtel takes the cake. His art and creativity in selecting, casting and staging a play like “The Curious Savage” is a gift to us all. Go to the Grange and see this play – it’s delicious and delightful.
Upcoming dates
Remaining performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25 through 27. Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s Book Store and online at www.orcasactors.com. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. This play is suitable for all ages. For more information, call 317-5601.
