Mind-boggling, mind-bending ‘A Lie of the Mind’ at Trinity

Posted 6/4/14

Phew! Let me catch my breath.

I’ve just experienced a mind-boggling, mind-bending theatrical experience at Trinity, where director Brian Mertes has taken Sam Shepard’s intense drama, “A Lie …

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Mind-boggling, mind-bending ‘A Lie of the Mind’ at Trinity

Posted

Phew! Let me catch my breath.

I’ve just experienced a mind-boggling, mind-bending theatrical experience at Trinity, where director Brian Mertes has taken Sam Shepard’s intense drama, “A Lie of the Mind” and opened it up into an overpowering production.

You enter the downstairs Dowling Theatre and are immediately confronted with 52 window fans surrounding a much-used door. The large stage area is filled with interesting, unrelated objects like a pool, a washtub, an enormous rigging device, water bottles (which are quickly stacked in a large suitcase), some furniture, including a much-used bed, and a piano.

How does all this fit into a play about wife abuse and two dysfunctional families?

Some of it fits quite nicely. The rest of it? I’m still trying to figure that out.

What I have figured out is that Trinity, and Mertes, have taken this rather somber play and had a field day with it.

The story centers around Beth (Britt Faulkner) an abused wife who returns to her dysfunctional family to be cared for.

Her husband, Jake (Benjamin Grills), believes he has killed her and goes into a serious funk, ending up being cared for by his dysfunctional family.

Once again, Trinity uses Consortium students alongside veteran repertory actors…and it works. Veterans Timothy Crowe and Anne Scurria play Beth’s parents, and they are both a hoot, adding humor to the seriousness of the situation. Janice Duclos plays Jake’s mother, adding pathos, along with a biting satirical attitude. These three pros have never been better.

While Beth has gone over the edge because of being brutally abused, she still has wisdom and insight inside that damaged brain. The others are crazier.

Shepard has some great lines (love is a disease that makes you feel good), some of which are lost in the chaos of the production.

This is not the “Lie of the Mind” I have seen in other productions. Trinity pulls out all of the stops, making the three-act play an overwhelming bombardment of physical activity. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did I enjoyed it.

Now what are they going to do with 52 window fans after the production?

“A Lie of the Mind” is at Trinity Rep. through June 29. Call 351-4242 for reservations.

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