Epic’s ‘This’ exposes middle age angst

Don Fowler
Posted 1/15/15

Cranston’s Epic Theatre has a reputation of presenting thought-provoking plays that encourage discussion when the lights come up and the applause dies down.

Such is the case with Melissa James …

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Epic’s ‘This’ exposes middle age angst

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Cranston’s Epic Theatre has a reputation of presenting thought-provoking plays that encourage discussion when the lights come up and the applause dies down.

Such is the case with Melissa James Gibson’s “This,” tightly directed by Lara Hakeem, who has been doing some very good work around these parts.

How you react to a play often depends on what you personally bring to the theatre. Joyce loved the one-act, hour-and-a-quarter play, while I found it “interesting.” I wouldn’t even think of calling it a “woman’s play,” but perhaps Joyce being a woman, wife and mother gave her better insight into Jane, a middle-aged woman with a teenage daughter who had lost her husband one year ago.

Emily Lewis plays Jane beautifully, wearing her heart on her sleeve, while still holding in her fears and confusion.

Gibson presents us with five interesting, if somewhat confused, characters, four of whom have been long-time friends.

Tom and Marrell (Robert C. Reynolds and MJ Daly) have a young baby, along with marital problems. Alan (Christopher Verleger) is a gay man going through a mid-life crisis. Marrell invites Jean-Pierre (Terry Shea) to a house party with the hope of fixing him up with Jane.

Tom introduces a game that leads to some uncomfortable moments. Verbal conflicts open up suppressed feelings. Infidelity shows its ugly head and the situation becomes quite tense. Thanks to Gibson’s sharp use of the English language, the tenseness is filled with humor.

While the play deals with some serious issues of self-doubt, guilt and remorse, the sometimes biting humor takes a bit of the edge off, leading to an interesting conclusion.

“This” is at Artist’s Exchange Theatre 82 and Café, 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through January 25 A talkback will follow the Sunday, January 25 matinee performance. Tickets are $15, $12 for students and seniors. Call 490-9475 for reservations.

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