The Post-Standard News
Archives

January 27, 2001
Section: CNY
Edition: Final
Page: C5

"Why, this is simply a madhouse!" trumpets Senator Savage. He is describing The Cloisters, which is anything but a simple place, and, some might contend, less mad than the world outside its gated walls and barred windows.

The Cloisters is the setting for "The Curious Savage," which opened Friday at Appleseed Productions for a three-week run. John Patrick's play is a delightful parable about greed, age, love and lots of other important topics. Mostly, the lessons in this parable are taught by the "guests" of this genteel asylum. Each of the guests is struggling to cope with some kind of problem, but this is not a ward filled with ranting, raving patients. Rather, under Lois Haas' capable direction, Appleseed's talented cast creates a set of guests who win you over with their gentle and caring ways, their affection for one another and their careful maintenance of a safe and secure environment. When a sane person is admitted to their ranks, their strengths become even more apparent.

Linda Ann Hill plays that sane person, the aging Ethel Savage, who has been committed to The Cloisters by her three greedy stepchildren. She has inherited a fortune from her deceased husband, and the children want to be sure they get as much of the fortune as they can. Hill provides the central core for the play, in a performance that is right on target. She combines the vulnerability of the elderly, the strength of those with values and a delightful sense of whimsy.

Ethel learns to love the emotive Fairy May, played with relish by Ann Marie Gardinier, who had the audience laughing with delight at her antics. The fragile Jeffrey (Ed Mastin) has been scarred by the war with a deep psychological wound; Mastin gives a subtle and touching performance.

Hannibal, a statistician-turned-violinist, is given a strong presence by C.J. Young. Terry Lynne Gore defines the angry Mrs. Paddy with some well-honed body language. Kathleen Whipple is particularly sympathetic as Florence, who has replaced her lost son with an imaginary one.

In contrast, the Savage siblings live up to their surname. Dustin Czarny as Senator Savage blusters and bullies his way through the role. Maria Hickman as Lily Belle is every inch a villainess, giving her role broad dramatic strokes. Greg Holtham as Judge Samuel Savage reads his role with snaky sneakiness. These three would do anything, including make fools of themselves, in order to gain control over the family fortunes.

Heather Roach also provides one of the anchoring performances as Miss Wilhelmina, the person in charge of the ward. Her even performance, matched by that of Doug Walls as Dr. Emmett, provides a pivot point between the guests and the Savages.

The contrast in this play is between the ugly reality of the Savage siblings and the compelling fantasy of life in The Cloisters. It is easy to understand why Ethel Savage has so much difficulty choosing to leave this place at the end of the play. She has come to know the value of "people willing to invest in kindness," in those willing to provide the love that each of them seeks.

Copyright (c) 2001 The Herald Company