No 'MERCY' at the Strand

War, it is said, can bring out the best in people. And sadly, the worst.

Neil LaBute's play, "The Mercy Seat," now playing at The Strand Theater in downtown Baltimore, explores the darker choices people make in the face of horrendous tragedy, in this case, the attack on America on Sept. 11, 2001.

The play is set in New York, an apartment near ground zero, the day after 9/11. No comment is ever made, but both characters, Abby (Kasey Arnold) and Ben (R. Brett Rohrer) and the set itself, are covered in dust and powder, as though the apartment had no roof. The point is clear-the horror of 9/11 permeates this place and these characters, it is at the core of all which transpires on stage.

Ben sits on a dusty couch, transfixed by the television and the endless reports of the twin towers disaster. Abby enters, groceries in hand and immediately tears into Ben and his penchant for not bothering to call or even answer his phone which rings incessantly.

In fact, the entire play-which runs about one hour and 20 minutes without intermission-consists of Ben and Abby doing their 21st century impression of "The Bickersons," though without the amusing punch-lines.

It's a bit hard to believe that these two people have been having a torrid workplace affair (Ben is married-with-children) for years, as they appear to hate each other with a passion. Abby belittles Ben for his lack of pop culture knowledge (everyone know who Audie Murphy is?) and general lack of intelligence, morality and decency. Ben refers to Abby with the "b" word and even the "c" word. Yes, truly these are two people in love.

Well, certainly in something, and as it turns out, in cahoots, attempting to use the shroud of 9/11 to escape lives and relationships that no longer suit them.

At least these characters have no delusions about who they are. Ben readily admits he's lived his life "fast and simple," cheating his way to a life of marginal success, ceding the man's role to Abby as she's the one "who wears the Haggar slacks" in the relationship.

Abby's hate seems to emanate from her own self-loathing as she continues to stay with a man who can't even look her in the face when they make love, an act that for Abby has become a form of masochistic punishment.

Abby snaps, moves about the apartment like an angry cat, while Ben seems to shamble about, slow, as though his limbs were weighted down. When these two stop sniping at each other long enough to exchange a kind word or gesture, it seems odd and out of place. We are never given any real understanding as to what brought these two people together in the first place...and we wonder why we should care.

"The Mercy Seat" is a study in cowardice set against the background of the heroism of those who did not hide in their apartments, so obsessed with their own lives and pains as to be oblivious to all else, but dared venture out, despite danger, despite fear, to put the welfare of others before themselves.

Directed by Danielle Young, "The Mercy Seat" continues its run at The Strand, 1823 North Charles Street, 8 p.m., Fri.-Sat.-Sun., now through Oct. 4th. Tickets are $15, $10 for students and seniors. For more information, call 443-874-4917 or visit www.strandtheatercompany.org.

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