BWW Reviews: Excellent Ensemble Shines in Shallow SONS OF THE PROPHET at 2nd Story

A recent converstion with a friend included the topic of just how much theater there is right now in Rhode Island. There's no denying that theater lovers have lots of excellent choices, with many plays and musicals of almost every kind. One of the many great aspects of this phenomenon is the fact that even with so much theater, there are so many talented performers in this area that the product is not watered down or less enjoyable just because there is so much of it.

Take 2nd Story Theatre, for example. They have not one, not two, but three shows opening and running during November. The first one to open, the second show of the DownStage season, is a perfect example of how even with so many shows running, audiences can still see a fantastic ensemble of actors working together perfectly.

Written by Stephen Karam, Sons of the Prophet is a relatively young play, having premiered in 2011. It was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitizer Prize and won the Drama Critics Circle and Outer Critics Circle award that year, among other awards. Its central story is that of a small family, two brothers and their uncle, who are dealing with loss and suffering. One of the brothers is dealing with additional suffering due to medical issues and the health insurance problems that come with them.

One of the problems with Karam's play is that it seems to be a message in search of a story or a concept in search of a plot. The message is: life is suffering, so get over it. That message, though, is about as deep as the play gets as it hammers it home again and again. Life is suffering...we all suffer...we suffer alone...we suffer together...you get the point. Characters spend all their time either complaining about their suffering, trying to escape their suffering or making jokes about their suffering. Other themes like homosexuality, political correctness, race, mortality and grief are brought up but never really go anywhere. They're just there to create the suffering.

That's all well and good up to a point, but the play needs more than that. It needs well-developed, fully fleshed out characters and a really compelling story. The other problem with the play's script is that it doesn't really have either of those important things. We know the characters are suffering but the play never really digs deep down, to the core of why they are suffering, how it really affects them as human beings, how or why we can relate to or sympathize with them and what we can all learn from it, besides "we all suffer." Other plot points are treated the same way. For example, a number of characters are gay, but we never get to know how it really impacts them or what it really means to them and their lives that they are gay.

Luckily, 2nd Story has populated Sons of the Prophet with a wonderful group of actors who are a pleasure to watch. Seeing them do their thing on stage, and do it well, can make the audience forget the play's shortcomings. Jed Hancock-Brainerd leads the way as Joseph, the brother who is dealing with a number of inexplicable health conditions. Hancock-Brainerd's Jed is very likable and sympathetic, although the script never really reveals some of his deeper motivations or feelings.

Andrew Iacovelli is great as Charles, Jed's also-gay-but-more-effeminate brother. Iacovelli has great comic touch, plenty of charisma and a flair for the melodramatic. Charles Lafond is also excellent as Timothy, a reporter who arrives to investigate the story of the family's tragedy. Lafond is a very good actor and it will be nice to see him stretch a little and get away from the very similar roles he's played lately. Another good young actor, Nathan Goncalves plays Vin, a high school student who is directly involved with the tragedy at the play's center. Goncalves provides an understated and touching performance as the troubled young man.

While they are all excellent, two actors do deserve a special mention. Paula Faber gives an outstanding performance as Gloria, Jed's boss who is providing him with much needed health insurance. Faber creates a perfectly off-kilter, not-all-there persona in Gloria, who may be oblivious or crazy or maybe she's just more troubled and suffering on the inside than anyone else in the play. Another outstanding performance is given by Vince Petronio as Bill, the old uncle of Jed and Charles. Petronio's Bill is cantankerous, a perfect grumpy old man who is also becoming an emotional and physical wreck. Without the help of any makeup or stage effects, Petronio seems to age on stage, before our eyes. It's simply a talented actor using his craft and skill perfectly.

Speaking of using skill and craft perfectly, in only their second show in the new DownStage space, 2nd Story seems to have already mastered the utilization of their new stage. The set, designed by Trevor Elliot and Moe Assaad, is perfectly simple, including the excellent use of a second level. Scene changes are pulled off seamlessly, with set pieces of all sizes rolling on and off stage from what must be a surprisingly large amount of space in the wings.

While all the technical elements work together perfectly, it's really the actors working together that are the reason to see this production. Many times during the play, two actors have a scene together where the chemistry and energy between them is perfect. It seems so real, so electric, it is a joy to watch. 2nd Story will surely continue to create those kinds of moments on both their stages into the foreseeable future.

Sons of the Prophet is in the DownStage space at 2nd Story Theatre, located at 28 Market Street, Warren Rhod Island. Performances are October 31 - November 24, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm, with an additional performance on Sunday, November 3 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $25. Age 21 and under, tickets are $20. For tickets, visit the box office, call 401-247-4200, or buy online at www.2ndStoryTheatre.com.

Pictured: (L to R) Nathan Goncalves, Vincent Petronio, Andrew Iacovelli, Jed Hancock-Brainerd, Paula Faber. Photo by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

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