Review: APT Goes Back to the Basics in SEASCAPE

Marriage can be a foreign language.

To some, the language comes easily. But, with time, the words can become meaningless as the motivation behind them lessens. The longer the relationship goes on, the more difficult it can become to comprehend the other person and know exactly what to say.

That is precisely the problem that befalls retired couple Nancy (Sarah Day) and Charlie (Johnathan Smoots) in American Players Theatre's production of Edward Albee's Seascape. On an excursion to the beach they bicker about how to spend the rest of their retirement. Nancy would like to travel while Charlie would prefer to do nothing. It is not until they happen upon a pair of giant, mated lizards that they come to realize the intricacy of human relationships and how that complexity is often taken for granted.

After all, how does one effectively explain the hardships of pain and sorrow to scaly sea creatures? Or how an airplane is different from, but similar to, a bird?

It is about as difficult as describing how two seemingly different individuals can fit so perfectly together. Day's precocious and endearing Nancy compliments Smoots' standoffish Charlie.Their difficult personalities make them more interesting to audiences. Slinging witticisms or difficult truths at one another carries their first act along at a well set pace. This show can drag easily - but this pair ensures that monotony is not the case in Albee's comedy.

Director Laura Gordon's keen eye for movement also keeps the show rolling on. Particularly in physical

direction given to Smoots when he hugs his knees to his chest and literally closes himself off from his wife. It is in those moments of vulnerability that he gains empathy from audiences who are then able to see his inner struggle.

Christina Panfilio and LaShawn Banks on the other hand, as the mysterious lizard creatures Sarah and Leslie, are blissfully unaware of such emotional discomfort. Choreographed by Jessica Lanius of Madison's Theatre LILA, the two sprawl out on stage, bellies twitching slightly from quick breaths, and heads cocked to the side in confusion. Clad in green and jewel toned body suits, Panfilio and Banks are whimsically delightful.

In contrast to Jeffrey Kmiec's realistic seaside rock formations, the pair of aquatic newcomers really stand out.Tthe rocks also make for a more interesting landscape for the four players to perform upon. As the show itself is relatively flat in terms of its linear movement, Kmiec's design gives additional variety to the performances.

Nancy and Charlie's new reptilian companions don't understand most things about life on land - especially the things that bother the humans the most. Like anger, fear, and jet skis. As if they were raising more children, the parental figures must guide the naive Sarah and Leslie through the most basic aspects of life above the sea. It is in explaining this teaching that the retirees come back together and back to their most basic need - understanding.

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