BWW Reviews: Deconstructed Feminism in ACT's RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN

Even from childhood we've always wanted what the other kid has. You never wanted to play with a toy so much as when someone else is playing with it. Such is the way sometimes with relationships, specifically the ones in "Rapture, Blister, Burn" currently playing at ACT. But even the relationship issues are only a small part of the show as it also takes a witty look at how far feminism has come and how far we still have to go.

What starts off looking like a revisited love triangle, Gina Gionfriddo's play introduces us to Don and Gwen Harper (Jeffrey Frace and Kathryn Van meter), an average suburban couple taking life as it comes. He alternates his time either trying to help the troubled students at his university where he's the dean of discipline, or watching porn on the computer and getting drunk and/or stoned. She, a recovering alcoholic, has thrown herself into micro managing their home life including insisting they fire the new babysitter, Avery (Mariel Neto) because she's shown up to babysit with a black eye. Meanwhile Don's old flame and Gwen's old roommate Catherine (Kirsten Potter) has come back to town from her successful New York writing and lecturing career to take care of her Mom, Alice (Priscilla Lauris) who's had a heart attack. The polite civilities between the three quickly devolve as Catherine spends more and more time with Don and the truth comes out that this staunch feminist regrets letting him go and not having the settled down life like Gwen. But Gwen has her own regrets of being in a rut and not living her life to the fullest. To make things worse, Don sets up Catherine with a summer seminar for her to discuss how feminism and pornography have evolved and the only two people to sign up are Gwen and Avery. And as the class goes on, it becomes less and less clear as to who has it right, Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem or Phyllis Schlafly. Or can you truly have it all?

Potter's arc throughout the play is remarkable as she goes from self-assured to wandering in the dark and back again. And what I love about Potter is how she so effortlessly manages both the comedy and the tragedy in the situations by simply being completely in the moment. Frace's character on the other hand doesn't have much growth but his portrayal of the perpetual borderline slacker is hilarious. Van Meter takes the role of the hyper controlling wife and mother and sinks her teeth into it with glee. And her comedic timing as her life crumbles couldn't be better. Neto gives a wonderful look into the younger perspective of what it is to be a strong woman, with a laser focused and engaging performance. And Lauris' constant comedic barbs and asides only add to the richness of the situations.

A very strong piece from director Anita Montgomery as she deftly walks the line between serious feminist issues and gut busting comedy. And beyond the comedy, Gionfriddo has created an insightful look into the roots, history, and future of the feminist movement.

"Rapture, Blister, Burn" performs at ACT through August 11th. For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org.

Photo credit: Chris Bennion

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