Review: Unexpected Stage Company's BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW is a tear-jerker at River Road Unitarian Church

"Own your grief." This is advice given to Melody, a 26-year-old widow, by her mother-in-law, Hope, in Unexpected Stage Company's production of Be a Good Little Widow, directed by Christopher Goodrich and written by Bekah Brunstetter. Melody (Ruthie Rado) struggles with grief after her husband, Craig (Nick Duckworth), is suddenly lost in a tragic accident. As Melody begins to plan her husband's funeral, Hope shows her the rules of being a widow including how to deal with mourners, such as Craig's former employee, Brad (Lansing O'Leary), and how to dress during mourning. Unexpected Stage Company's Be a Good Little Widow is a tear-jerking and heartbreaking play to watch, but there are moments of humor which bring a bit of relief from the constant intensity.

Be a Good Little Widow starts out at a slow pace as it highlights the relationship between Craig and Melody, as well, as their relationship with Hope. During this part of the production, the scenes seem to drag a bit, but the momentum comes back once the plot begins to take shape after Craig's tragic accident. Despite the pacing issue at the beginning, this production is held up by a solid cast fronted by Ruthie Rado as Melody. Rado's range is superb. Her availability to juggle the drama and comedy can't go unnoticed especially in a flashback college scene with Craig. She also captures the intensity of the grief, which Melody is experiencing, and casts it into the audience. This intensity shines during dream-like scenes in which she interacts with deceased Craig. Her powerful performance isn't fleeting as it stays with one even after the last scene. While the audience only gets to know Craig for a short time, Duckworth's performance is captivating. His chemistry is apparent with Rado in all the scenes in which they are together. His strongest moments onstage are in which he appears and interacts with Rado as an apparition of Craig. Emily Morrison's Hope is a mother-in-law who you love to hate. Her interactions with Melody are terse from the very beginning as Morrison's interaction with Rado's Melody clearly shows hatred. Later in the play, Morrison is able to break down those walls to reveal a softer side to the stern and tight Hope by revealing how she cares about Melody in small ways such as giving advice on how to deal with meeting other men after Craig. Lansing O'Leary only appears onstage as Brad a few times, but his scenes are memorable. O'Leary's Brad is quirky with a big heart. His depiction of Brad's affection towards Melody is sweet especially when he insists on trying to help her or apologizing to her by giving her flowers.

Unexpected Stage Company's Be a Good Little Widow is a play which deals with grief differently than perhaps other plays. However, this isn't a bad thing. After all, everyone handles with grief in different ways just like Melody, Hope, and Brad.

Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission

Be a Good Little Widow plays at River Road Unitarian Church (Fireside Room)- 6301 River Road Bethesda, MD - through August 5, 2018. Tickets can be purchased online.