BWW Reviews: A LATE SNOW at SET

Written just over forty years ago, Jane Chambers' A Late Snow shouldn't be controversial anymore. Yet here it is, 2015, and the church I drive past on the way to the store has a sign out front declaring, "DON'T GIVE IN TO THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA," so it's safe to say that SET's latest production will raise eyebrows in some circles of Colorado Springs.

Which is a shame, because this is not an agenda play. It doesn't politicize, preach, or berate. It's just a simple, honest, and beautifully written story of the past, present, and future romantic relationships between five very different people. All of whom happen to be women.

The nexus of these relationships is Ellie (Virginia Henley Gatz), the college professor who was, or is, or wants to be with each of the four others ladies. Her current lover Quincy (Jessica Parnello) adores her and wants their relationship to be made public, but Ellie fears how that will affect her profession at the conservative Utah school where she teaches. That, and Ellie feels a certain spark for Margo (Ellen Regina), who she brings to her secluded mountain cabin in an attempt to see if that spark can ignite. Unfortunately, Ellie opens the door to find Quincy delivering an anniversary present with the help of Ellie's destructive ex Pat (Jenny Maloney). The arrival of Ellie's college roommate (Jessica Weaver) and a spring snowstorm brings about a situation that Pat aptly describes as "unexpected, and messy as Hell."

All of which sounds like the setup for a door-slamming farce, or a psychological thriller, but Chambers' work is very grounded, realistic, and human, as is Emory John Collinson's direction. The action flows smoothly from one group of women to the next, and subtle gestures are pregnant with meaning. The setting is likewise nicely done; I'm always impressed by what SET does with their space and resources, and the fashionably rustic cabin and lighting shifts which guide the focus (Weaver and Maloney pulling double duty on scenic and lighting design, respectively) create a wonderful sense of place.

Parnello and Maloney get a smart, funny scene at the opening to define their characters, and they remain highlights as the play progresses. Parnello is young, eager, and so utterly besotted with Ellie that she can't see the older woman's reservations about their relationship. Pat, meanwhile, sees all too clearly and goes through the contents of Ellie's liquor cabinet while stirring things up in any way she can. Maloney is good in Pat's abrasive, alcoholic moments, but even better in tenderer moments when she begs Ellie to give her another chance. As Ellie, Gatz takes some time to establish herself, tending to fade into the background while her various significant others trade suspicious looks and tense dialogue. She comes to life in the presence of Weaver's Peggy, a college social queen-turned-desperate housewife who represents Ellie's idealized first love. Ellie remembers the relationship with an eager fondness reminiscent Quincy's puppy love; unfortunately, Peggy's memories are not so much in the closet as in denial.

Elegantly written and charmingly presented, A Late Snow plays now through April 26th at Springs Ensemble Theatre, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm with Sunday matinees on April 19th and 26th at 4pm. For tickets, contact the box office at 719-357-3080 or visit springsensembletheatre.org.

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