Plano

[rating=2] It is not often that I get lost in a story, but I would have to say that the Chicago premiere of “Plano” written by Will Arbery truly confused me. We were told it was a dark comedy in the press notes. The story is about three sisters who are stricken with strange plagues.

As we entered the 1700 venue at Steppenwolf we see a façade of a house with a wonderful porch. (Kristin Marino’s set is masterful in this small space) and on the porch is a figure with no face dressed in white. This faceless ghost is played by Andrew Lund and while the character never says a word, we know that he represents problems for the youngest of the sisters, Isabel (Amanda Fink).

The oldest of the sisters, Genevieve ( Ashley Neal) is married to Steve (Andrew Cutler), but there are two Steves ( he plays them both) and they are duplicates with the exception of their personalities. Later we are told that she might just wait for a third Steve. Cutler works very hard and director Audrey Francis does some very clever things to make this part of the play powerful even if it makes no sense.

The third sister, Anne ( deftly handled by Elizabeth Birnkrant) starts off the play by telling us that she is with child by a man called Juan but prefers John (smoothly played by Christopher Acevedo). At night he leaves their home and goes to Plano. In fact, Plano is spoken about as a terrible place to visit or live, but the answers as to why are never revealed. Or perhaps I missed it in one of the tiny scenes that moved very quickly. Note: you will hear Anne in the middle of a speech say “later” as if to say we will talk about this at some time in the future. Two seconds later, she will say “Later” and continue the conversation or it will in fact be LATER ( weeks, months etc). Confused?

Later in the play after we witness Juan/John meeting up with some cowboys in Plano and doing a dance with them, the sisters are visited by their mother, Mary ( why not?) played by Janice O’Neil who during her scene will love them so much and  they will do the biggest hug and wait until you see what happens next!

This play is roughly 90 minutes in length and has no intermission. While the actors were all sparkling in their roles, I was unimpressed with the story, feeling that perhaps there was more to say. What took place in their lives that brings us to this day ? Why is Steve cloned? If Juan/John is Gay ( as Steve #1 says) why does he marry Anne? To get his Green Card? What does the Faceless Ghost  represent? How much love can Mary give her girls? And last but not least, why did no one eat the Hummus?

On the tech side, the lighting ( Jason Lynch) and sound/composition (Eric Backus) along with the costumes (Raquel Adorno) were right on. Micah Figueroa did the choreography/movement. The little love dance with  Faceless Ghost and Isabel was a highlight, but we never truly learn about what the symbol of their relationship is.

I would love to hear what your feelings are either by e-mail or you can call in on Sundays at 2 p.m. WCPT820 am radio/Around the Town Chicago.

“Plano” will continue at the 1700 Theatre at Steppenwolf, located at 1700 N. Halsted Street in Chicago thru March 28th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  8 p.m.

Sundays  3:30 p.m.

added Mondays, March 2nd, 16th and 23rd at 8 p.m.

added Saturday March 28th at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25-$35 (students $20 and Industry $15) by calling 312-335-1650 or online at www.steppenwolf.org.  OPEN SEATING

This is a First Floor Theater  production. The intent of this company is to stage stories of individuals facing moments of radical change, asking social questions.

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