BWW Reviews: Trinity Street Players' SUNSET LIMITED A Complex Dialogue on Religion

An hour and a half of two men sitting in a small apartment discussing religion doesn't scream "riveting theatre," but under the right circumstances, anything is possible. Case in point: Trinity Street Player's current production of The Sunset Limited. While the show may not be action packed, it is a thought provoking and well-crafted work.

The 2006 play by Cormac McCarthy, the novelist behind The Road and No Country for Old Men, starts shortly after an African American man and ex-con (known only as "Black") saves a white man (known as "White") from throwing himself in front of a train. Black takes White back to his apartment with the intent of talking him out of a second attempt at suicide. What McCarthy gives us for the next 90 minutes is a debate about the existence of God, our connection to our fellow man, and whether or not life is worth living. The dialogue is well written and philosophical, though it seems for the first hour that McCarthy's created a stronger character in the contented, evangelical Black as the dialogue tends to give Black the upper hand. However, when the dormant White inevitably erupts in rage, frustration, anger, and angst, McCarthy finally gives him the ability to put his depressing but somewhat realistic world view into words, leading to a climatic stand-off between these men and their beliefs. The only downfall of the text is that as interesting as the characters and their views are, McCarthy stops short of challenging the audience to explore their own thoughts on the issues. We're effectively instructed to listen rather than engage as a 3rd party to the heated and lively discussion.

Patrick Torres's no fuss or frills direction seems well-matched with McCarthy's quick paced, rapid fire dialogue. The focus is clearly on creating developed characters with opposing views and allowing them to simmer before boiling over in a climactic showdown. Trevor Bissell is fantastic as the confident, wisecracking, and jovial Black. While he is a bit uneducated and "country" as he puts it, he is wise. While given some very heavy-handed comments on the virtues of God and Christianity, Bissell never lets the character come off as judgmental or close minded. As White, Derek Jones gives a quiet, understated performance. He plays the character as a man who has given up on life but for some reason isn't desperate, depressed, or even upset or sorrowful. He's just void, which is far more interesting, frightening, and poignant.

Though action is predominantly absent from The Sunset Limited, it is a stimulating and smart look at two different viewpoints on God, religion, and hope. This is one train that is definitely worth boarding.

Note: Recommended for mature audiences only.

Running time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

THE SUNSET LIMITED, produced by the Trinity Street Players, plays the Trinity Street Theatre inside the First Baptist Church of Austin at 901 Trinity Street, Austin, 78701 now thru August 18th. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Tickets are free but reservations are recommended. For reservations and more information, please visit www.trinitystreetplayers.com

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