WitActors Co-op at the CrossleyTerrace Theatre
Reviewed by
Madeleine Shaner
March 10, 2010 Essentially strong ensemble casting makes this a play that nourishes and stays in the heart and mind. As the willing but slightly goofy nurse in charge of Dr. Bearing's care, Tawny Mertes seems authentic enough to transfer to any major hospital tomorrow. Daniel J. Roberts as the research fellow in charge is as fierce as a young lion can be, especially in battle with an old tiger, whose literature course he had reluctantly attended during premed. Phil Crowley is convincingly conservative as the physician. "Wit" is about death. It's also about life, spirituality, language, the poetry of John Donne, control, humanity, compassion and lack of it when administered institutionally, and, yes, cancer. The intelligent humor, as ill-placed as it may seem, triumphs over them all. The highly intellectual, nonetheless stirring, lexicon of the text is well-balanced with the seemingly out-of-place laughter it inspires in its audience—translating as humor despite itself. Presented by Actors Co-op at the Crossley Terrace Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. Feb. 19–March 28. Fri.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. (323) 462-8460, ext. 300. www.actorsco-op.org. |
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