There are moments of poignant clarity in the new allegorical play, Prison Light, by Austin Flint. Then there are moments of confusion. Director Alice Reagan has ensured that no one stays lost and the rhythm of life supports the dramatic character development of Parker, played with Everyman-like naivete by Bernardo Cubria. His wife, Elizabeth, played with saintly patience by Danielle Slavick, awaits the conclusion of his psychic imprisonment.
The Conflict
In a dark corner of Andreea Minicic's glacial blue cubist set of blocks and metallic rails, two prisoners, played with expressionistic emotional intensity by Tuomas Hiltunen and Sara Buffamanti. The first word spoken is "Nothing," and the play organizes a world from this chaos as Parker struggles to set the prisoners free.
The playwright shows a gift for instilling life in symbols, using the workplace as a metaphor for the struggles of life. As the taskmaster, Pembroke, Meg MacCrary shepherds Parker's rude awakenings. He is seduced by the task of freeing his prisoners until he internalizes them, neglecting his responsibilities at work and at home. It is a relentless task, and as the prisoners metamorphose from one archetype to another, we learn how necessary it is to Parker. Chad Hoeppner rounds out the gifted ensemble, playing three distinctly different characters--George, Stranger, and Clerk.
While the play argues that brutality is fundamental to growth, Flint also offers many tender moments, including the waltz of the prisoners and a cry for human connection: "When you're lost, people should be out looking for you." The playwright incorporates delightful ironies that relieve its stark intensity, such as the ritual one-minute birthday moment at work.
Production Values
Ramsey Scott's costumes are understated and subtle, with the prisoners' uniform garb most effective and striking. The production also had the services of Sound Designer Elizabeth Rhodes, and the score for the production is particularly effective in punctuating the stages of Parker's progress. Ellie Rabinowitz has crafted a Lighting plot that envelopes the audience in the action. Some spectators may find the intensity uncomfortable, and that is part of the point.
Conscious life is a struggle to balance competing claims. Mr. Flint has given it thoughtful consideration and developed an intriguing theatrical experience.
Here's Where It's At
HERE is an Indie arts venue, managed by Artistic Director Kristin Marting and Kim Whitener. The avant garde nature of the play, from its icy blue cubist set to its metaphor saturated poetry, is well served by this venue, near Spring Street and Avenue of the Americas in New York City. Prison Light was produced as part of HEREstay, the organization's curated rental program, through which artists receive subsidized space and equipment, in addition to technical and administrative support.
HERE was founded in 1993, has produced more than 1,200 original works, won 16 OBIE awards, a Bessie Award, and a Pulitzer nomination. HERE has nurtured signal American works such as Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues and Basil Twist's Symphonie Fantastique. In 2000, HERE launched its Dream Music Puppetry Program. Hybrid performance is developed through the HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP).
