Review: A NUMBER at Kansas City Actors Theatre

This last weekend, Kansas City Actor's Theatre opened their production of the 2002 British one-act play "A Number" by Caryl Churchill at Rockhurst University's Mabee Theater. "A Number" is a two person play influenced by the political controversy in the UK over cloning in the days following the announcement of the successful cloning of "Dolly the Sheep."

The actors in this exploration of biology's role in the future of mankind are the well-known Kansas City Actor Gary Neal Johnson as Salter and Professor Mathew Schmidli of Johnson County Community College as his sons.

"A Number" puts one in mind of a Rod's Serling "Twilight Zone" episode. There are two main questions posed by this playwright. On one hand, what are the consequences of human cloning? On the other hand, is a do-over to correct past behaviors likely to produce a positive result?

Gary Neal Johnson is Salter, an aging father of one or so he believes. It turns out that Salter's son Bernard has not grown up in a matter satisfactory to Salter. He blames himself as a father. The notion of cloning becomes available. He can have a do-over as a father. Salter acquires his son's DNA and offers it up to an accessible scientist. The deal is that the scientist will return one clone of his son to his care. It appears (unbeknownst to Salter) that the scientist has used the DNA sample to produce as many as 20 clones.

Salter's clone son, Bernard discovers the secret of his creation. Salter has lied to him for his entire life. Bernard is enraged. Salter grasps for a response. He spins a tale that seems to explain what Bernard has discovered. According to Salter, Bernard is a replacement for Salter's son, also named Bernard, who has died in an accident. Salter claims to have no knowledge of any additional unauthorized clones and threatens to sue those responsible for this breach of trust. Bernard, the clone son, is mollified.

In the next scene, the audience meets the original Bernard. He is not dead and he is even more enraged. Bernard, the original, has met Bernard, the younger clone version of himself, in a park. True to form, Salter spins another tale. He admits what he has done, but claims his only aim was to correct errors he thinks he made during his original son's growing up years. Bernard, the original, does not calm down. He threatens to do away with the clone version of himself.

Bernard, the original, makes good on his threat to kill Bernard, the clone, and then commits suicide. Salter, now totally alone, leaves his long-time home to escape his growing despair. He will find and meet the rest of the unauthorized clone litter.

Salter travels to a warmer clime and meets Michael Black who is a doppelganger for both of his now deceased sons. He makes contact. Michael is a married Math Teacher with a family. Salter informs him that he may be a clone. Michael is unconcerned. He has no need to bond with Salter. Salter, we suppose, travels on. At this point, it might be appropriate for Rod Serling to make an appearance and resolve the conundrums posed in the play.

"A Number" is an actor's play. As Salter, Gary Neal Johnson is fine. He is professional and accomplished doing all we can expect. As Michael Black, his brother Bernard, and his other brother Bernard, Mathew Schmidli is faced with a much more difficult challenge. He must show the audience three separate personalities. There are costume changes between the scenes to help, but this production would help itself if the transformations between the characters were more distinct. It would also be helpful if it were much more obvious that the Salter character was interacting with separate personalities. It might also help if the audience could see more thematic differences in the scenes. Constant anger gets a little tiresome.

The questions posed by this play are great for discussion and deserved to be asked. Audiences will have opportunities to enjoy these thought provoking ideas about a future that may be through February 7. Tickets are available on the Kansas City Actor's Theatre website or by telephoning 816-235-6222.

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