Review: LAS CRUCES at Premiere Stages is Outstanding Theatre

Premiere Stages at Kean University is now presenting Las Cruces through September 18th. This thought provoking piece of theatre is written by Vincent Delaney and has inspired direction by the theatre's founding producing artistic director, John Wooton. Las Cruces was the winner of the 2016 Premiere Stages Play Festival. Now is the time to get your tickets for this extraordinary play.

In Las Cruces, Sheridan, a man from Connecticut, flees to a desolate area of the New Mexico desert to escape the horror of the heinous crime committed by his teenage son, Robbie. Sheridan rents a battered trailer and strikes up an unlikely friendship with Soledad, a smart, wisecracking, poker-playing, 17 year-old girl. The tragedy comes back to haunt him when his wife, Jane discovers his whereabouts and comes to New Mexico. Both Jane and Sheridan are plagued by their memories, guilt and doubts about their parenting. It may not be happenstance that Jane and Sheridan are given a chance to develop a relationship with Soledad. In this stark Southwestern landscape, not far from casinos and a spaceport, the three characters confront their demons and discover the potential for redemption.

The outstanding cast of Las Cruces brings the riveting story to life. And while the show has a very serious tone, the finely crafted dialogue has some well-placed humorous moments. Diomargy Nunez is ideal as the quick-witted independent teen, Soledad. Brian Sutherland masters his role as Sheridan and delivers a powerful performance of the complex character. Charlotte Cohn perfectly captures the role of of Jane with an excellent portrayal of a mother's grief and anxiety. Conner McKenna is compelling in the part of Robbie as he displays the teen's anger and volatility in video clips. Sabrino Alamo is the understudy for Soledad; Kerry Borowski is the understudy for Jane; Tony Mowatt is the understudy for Sheridan.

The Creative Team has done a great job of bringing a true sense of the New Mexico desert to the stage with scenic design by Patrick Rizzotti; lighting design by Brant Thomas Murray; costume design by Karen Lee Hart; sound design by Janie Bullard. The Props Master is Helen Tewksbury, the Stage Manager is Dale Smallwood and Carol Hanzel is the Casting Director. Emmanuel Vozos is the Assistant Director of Digital Media Production for Kean University. Ian Alfano and Scott Faranda are Video Producers for Kean University and Bryan Pekarek is the Senior Video Editor for Kean University.

Las Cruces is an absorbing personal drama and an insightful, behind the scenes view of a heart-rending tragedy that mirrors recent headlines. It is a show that must be seen, one that you will contemplate long after the curtain call.

Las Cruces will be at Premiere Stages through September 18th in the Zella Fry Theatre on the Kean University main campus in Union. The show will be performed on Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $30, $20 for senior citizens and Kean alumni and $15 for students and persons with disabilities. Call the Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.7649 or visit www.kean.edu/premierestages.com.

Photo Credit: Mike Peters

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