“Buried Child” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=5]Buried Child was written by the multi-talented author, screenwriter, playwright, and actor Sam Shepard. Most people remember him as the cool looking father in Steel Magnolias, or as Chuck in The Right Stuff, or in Pelican Brief, and many more movies. He was born at Fort Sheridan Illinois, so he would be considered a local talent.” Buried Child” was the play that won him the Pulitzer Prize and started his successful career.

Buried Child is a haunting disturbing play, perfect during the Fall season. The play takes place in Central Illinois on a farm, that has not been productive for over 30 years. The entire family when you meet them evidently show they are mentally unstable. The patriarch for the family is Dodge, an older man in his 70’s, with a severe history of alcoholism and now suffering end stage diseases from consumption. Dodge is played by the great actor Jim Morley, He has nailed the crotchety old stubborn man, hiding a secret. Jim was so believable in this role, I almost wondered if he had a drinking problem. But I know better, he is just a GOOD actor.

Their eodest son is Tilden played by that remarkable actor Robert Tobin, who has starred in so many plays in the Chicago area. He played the role to perfection. At times I felt he was Lenny in the book Of Mice and Men. It is not easy  to play a severely mentally challenged person with a low IQ, but you can tell he too is keeping a secret. The surprise role to me was Bradley played by Rian Jairell, Rian was able to act and look the part of an evil deranged amputee filled with hate for how life has turned out for him.

Then you have the matriarch of the family Halie played by Liz Cloud, Liz is known to most Chicagoans as the sister in Late Nite Catechism. Halie is not seen for the first 15 minutes of the play, you hear her arguing and correcting her husband, as he keeps sneaking sips from the bottle he has hidden in the sofa. When she enters, she is wearing a black dress, but in the second act when she returns from meeting her friends, she is wearing a yellow dress. Halie as the simple-minded religious head of household, is the real keeper of secrets.

Later we discover the long-lost grandson Vince played by Roberto Jay, another twist to the story, as  nobody remembers him, but considering he also enjoys the sauce he fits in with the family. Lastly,  to round off all the character’s you have the girlfriend of Vince’s, Shelly a 19 y/o from New Jersey, played by Stephanie Baires. This woman is smart and won’t put up with the family’s antics.

The horror of the secrets won’t get revealed till the last 20 min, but in the 2 hours and ten-minute play with one intermission, everything goes very fast. Everything about this play glues you to the set and the actors. I do have to give kudos to Jeremih Barr, as set, prop and technical director, the simple but functional set was perfect. I enjoyed the fact that you did your homework, you only get one ear of corn from each stalk. This play has it all, suspense, intrigue and fast moving with an excellent cast of actors.

The Edge Theatre is located at 5451 N. Broadway, one of the newer theatres to come to Edgewater. Easy parking, comfortable seats and no bad views of the stage.

Performances are as follows:

Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30 pm

and Sunday at 3: pm.

Ticket prices are $20, and tickets can be purchased at the box office. Located at the theatre, or by calling 773-769-9112. Or Edgetheatre.com, or Astonrep.com. Please don’t miss this great drama is playing till November 19th.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Buried Child”