BWW Reviews: Fells Point Corner Theatre's ORPHANS Deserves Love

Let me just say that I am a fan of small community theatres tucked into residential neighborhoods, so naturally I'm inclined to feel kindly towards FPCT. Aside from the issue of parking on the streets of Fells Point, that is. The theatre, which is in its 27th season of operation, has been updated bit by bit, so the overall feel of the interior is contemporary, open and welcoming. The theatre seats are comfortable and don't squeak at all. At intermission, there are refreshments, including wine, available in the lobby.

Having arrived happy to a happy-feeling place, having unexpectedly discovered two dear friends among the audience, having chosen a seat with an unobstructed view, I was mentally prepared for whatever the play would throw at me. I mean, I'm not naive. I understand that a three-person show that's categorized as 'drama' is likely to involve heavy stuff, and this is the case. Lyle Kessler's script, with dialogue fast, furious and overlapping- Mamet-esque, if I may dare, reveals to us characters almost Dickensian, who proceed to wreak upon each other psychological torture worthy of a lesser-known Albee show. The show itself explores themes of manipulation, deceit and an ever-shifting balance of power.

The set is simple and clever: the one-room apartment has 4 entrance/exit points, plus a closet for hiding. It is outfitted to be functional, dressed to look like the slapdash habitat two adolescent males might create. During intermission, as the circumstances of the characters change, the apartment undergoes a transition as well, with updated, significantly nicer furnishings and nary a tuna can in sight. The costuming, which is understated and suitable, evolves as events progress and serves as silent visual narrative.

The characters, while not either written or portrayed as fully developed beings, are nevertheless believable. The parts are well cast, and handled with understanding and energy by the actors, each of whom dissolves nicely into his part. David Shoemaker brings outsized motion and a tempered naivete to Phillip, while Eric Park as Treat paces the playing field with the contained fury of a trapped wildcat. Jeff Murray, playing Harold, is a convincing drunk, and beautifully restrained as an outsider capable of reinventing a dysfunctional but stable family unit.

A show containing as much dialogue as ORPHANS runs the risk of becoming visually boring. Director Steve Goldklang creates dynamic action without wandering into pointless frenetic movement. Fans of dramatic theatre should find much to enjoy and little to criticize in this capably done production.

ORPHANS runs at Fells Point Corner Theatre through December 8th, at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $15 and $20, and can be purchased conveniently from the FPCT website. Fells Point Corner Theatre is located at 251 S Ann St, Baltimore, MD 21117. Call (410) 276-7837 or visit www.fpct.org for more information.

Photo Credit: Ken Stanek

To post a comment, you must register and login.