BWW: Review: A DELICATE SHIP - Way Off Course

Fledgling company Filigree Theatre brings its second production, A DELICATE SHIP, to Santa Cruz Theatre running from February 15th thru 25th. Unfortunately this play sinks not far from shore.

Debuting in New York in 2015 Off Broadway, the show, by Anna Ziegler is about a couple, Sarah (Laura Ray) and Sam (David Moxham) who are spending a romantic Christmas Eve enjoying each other's company, reveling in their new love for each other. There's a knock at the door and on the other side is Nate (Nicholaus Weidel), Sarah's lifelong best friend. Their story is told in a theatrical aside format that has each character analyzing their own behavior and motivations in turn throughout the play. The style is slightly annoying the way it's presented but it's effective in telling a deeper tale without spending an hour on conventional exposition. The two men verbally spar, competing for Sarah's attention and ultimately her love, forcing her to choose between them. A DELICATE SHIP is a memory play, the question is, are the memories worth watching? I'm here to tell you that the answer is a firm no.

Issues with this production are numerous and start with the choice of script. The play wants desperately to be profound and isn't in the least. Sure the characters throw around philosophical babble and pseudo deep meaning, it all comes out as just too many words and not enough substance. The character of Nate, who should illicit some sympathy from the audience, instead comes off as abusive and psychotic, continually torturing Sarah with exposing her personal history to her new boyfriend. He is mean spirited and we wonder why anyone would ever be his friend for more than a day, much less a lifetime. Director Elizabeth V. Newman adds to the script's flaws by leaving her actors sitting inactively for long periods of time. This inertia causes the pacing to drag and adds at least ten minutes to the play's length. Austin stage veteran, Laura Ray as Sarah is the lone bright spot in the cast, she struggles mightily against the material to be likeable and keep the show moving. As Nate, Nicholaus Weindel plays the old friend with a menacing undertone that made me wonder if he would declare his love for Sarah or murder her. Like a cat playing with a mouse he treats his friend as if she were his victim and eventually he makes her just that. As for David Moxham as Sam the nonentity character that is written for him is whiny and ineffectual, he has a few moments where a glimmer of hope shines through. But those moments are sadly few and far between. The set designed by Chris Conard is lovely and makes the most of the stage. But unfortunately the set doesn't make up for the failings of script and direction.
Sadly I can not recommend A DELICATE SHIP, but I can definitely recommend Santa Cruz Theatre and it's new gallery space. It is an art space that is quickly transforming into one of Austin's best performance stages. Kudos to Ryan Salinas at Santa Cruz for his insight and ambition to encompass all art.

A DELICATE SHIP
by Anna Ziegler
Directed by Elizabeth V. Newman
Filigree Theatre
Santa Cruz Theatre
1805 E 7th Street, Austin

February 15 - 25

Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission

Tickets: $30 - $25, filigreetheatre.com

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