Fresh approach to familiar storyline in ‘Thinner Than Water’
Comedy/drama shines at Burbage
PAWTUCKET – Stories about dysfunctional families hardly are uncharted territory, but Melissa Ross’ play “Thinner Than Water” is so insightful – and the production now at the Burbage Theatre is done so well – the familiar becomes fresh and engaging all over again.
First produced in 2011, “Thinner Than Water” deals with three estranged half-siblings brought together by a family crisis. Their father is ill, and the woman, Gwen, with whom he now lives, has asked for help caring for him.
Although they share a father, each of these adult children has a different mother, and they know Gwen only as the latest in this string of companions. That’s less divisive than the fact their father, Martin, rarely was involved in their growing-up days. So why should they care?
That setup is the hook on which playwright Ross hangs a thoughtful, compelling, often funny and large- ly unpredictable story about who Renee, Gary and Cassie are, and why they think, behave and live the way they do.
Renee is the oldest and angriest; she’s married, with kids of her own, but something is missing in her life. Gary is a 30-something underachiever, living in his mother’s garage and working part time. Cassie is a chronic screw-up, hardly able to take care of herself. They’d rather get sarcastic with each other, however, than do anything to improve their own situations.
From these archetypes, Ross creates complex, realistic characters, ones with whom you sympathize even as you recognize their foibles. The play is more about personalities and interactions than events, and Ross lets the conflicts and reconciliations unfold naturally. She makes wise use of subplots, involving the siblings’ outside relationships, to add perspective.
Most of the play takes place over three days, and while there aren’t many tender moments, there are truthful ones –often with a humorous aspect. Ross, moreover, writes dialogue that gets the sound and phrasing of contemporary talk exactly right.
The Burbage cast and director Allison Crews get everything exactly right, too. Crews has a feel for these complicated characters, and that comes across in her intelligent direction.
The result: great portrayals. Rae Mancini is remarkable as the irascible Renee, hinting at the sadness that fuels her anger. Dillon Medina gives an entirely authentic performance as Gary, with never a false move, and Alison Russo brings depth to Cassie, far beyond the stereotype. Clare Blackmer is genuine and believable at every moment and in every emotion as Gwen.
Supporting actors are important because they have pivotal roles, and the level of excellence continues with Jim O’Brien as Renee’s husband, Mark; James Lucey as Gary’s friend, Benjy; and Gabby McCauley as a memorable Angela, a bossy mom auditioning Gary for an unlikely role as a Big Brother for her son – a well-played scene.
And among this wealth of talent, Andrew Iacovelli stands out as Henry, Cassie’s ex-boyfriend who isn’t quite over her.
This production is the Rhode Island premiere of Ross’ play, and it leaves us looking forward to seeing more work from this playwright – and especially from this excellent theater company.
Performances of “Thinner Than Water” continue through May 13 at Burbage Theatre, located in the building with TEN31 Productions, 249 Roosevelt Ave. Tickets are $25 general admission, $15 students, and $10 for Rhode Island College students. Buy online at www.burbagetheatre.org.