Rich man, poor man – the story’s as old as time… But, this time the story’s a little different, and it’s delivered from three female perspectives, as set against the backdrop of what grows on Martha’s Vineyard’s vine.
Scene: A lovely, lavish living room decked out in every shade of beige, with splashes of navy blue, black and other cold colors and hard elements of metal, glass, wood and stone. Enter two attractive young ladies, who, at first gloss, seem to have little in common but for the fact they’re both colorfully clad. One is prim, proper and posh, wearing a tailored floral number with matching sandals and shrug, while the other is far more casual, in every sense of the word.
Believe it or not, these two very different gals are sisters, and this is their special “sisters’ weekend” together… or, at least it was supposed to be.
Elemeno Pea by Molly Smith Metzler finds casual, carefree Devon visiting her younger sister, Simone, at the expansive Martha’s Vineyard estate where Simone works as personal assistant to troubled trophy wife Michaela Kell. The prestigious property-owners have left the island for the season, and have invited Simone, though she’s “the help,” to help herself to their guest house while they’re away. But just as Simone is easing into her position as mistress of the house, the actual mistress returns in a heated huff. There’s trouble in paradise, and Michaela needs Simone to do what Simone does best.
What exactly is it that Simone does best? Why is Michaela still on the island when she should be on a jet to New York? Is “sisters’ weekend” totally shot, or will the women nonetheless share meaningful moments and bond? These are only a few of the many questions the set-up to Smith Metzler’s cutting, contemporary script begs – and City Theatre’s powerful production will have you on the edge of your seat awaiting the answers, which, as it turns out, are much deeper and darker than what you might expect to find.
At the center of this stellar production are shining starlets Robin Abramson (Simone), Ariel Woodiwiss (Devon) and Kimberly Parker Green (Michaela). Each actress portrays her character’s social station believably, consistently and with great flair, giving careful attention to every detail of delivery, including vocal tone, body language and facial expression alike. Considerate blocking by Director/Artistic Director Tracy Brigden even has the ladies sitting on the furniture in different ways, again indicative of class or, perhaps, level of comfort in life. So, too, Costume Designer Robert C.T. Steele’s deliberate wardrobe decisions demonstrate the women’s differences, from the colorful outfits noted above to the neutral palette of Michaela’s loose clothing, which blends in, easily and intentionally, with the comfortable, yet unwelcoming living space set out by seasoned Scenic Designer Tony Ferrieri.
The dialogue between the three female leads is sure to leave you in stitches, due to side-splitting comedic exchanges as well as instances of heartbreaking sadness. Upping the comic ante in the play are the supporting male roles of blue-collar, Mexicano handyman Jos-B (played by Tony Chiroldes) and Nantucket-Reds-wearin’ good ole’ boy Ethan (played by Anthony Comis). Both men have scene-stealing moments and aptly portray the extreme stereotypes – or, tongue-in-cheek realities – of the social stratification often encountered along the very-east and off-coast East Coast. Chiroldes repeatedly spurs uproarious laughter, as his pot belly hangs out over his belt and his neck moves to the rhythm of his patronizing, irreverent comments. And, with his handsome, toothy grin and lofty vibrato, Comis makes all the right choices to make the audience hoot, reminding them just how annoying, arrogant and empty a silver-spoon-fed pretty boy can be, if left to his own (de)vices.
Best described as a comic clash of the classes, Elemeno Pea will make you laugh, cry and think, and will thoroughly entertain your senses and sensibilities from start to end. The play, itself, lasts approximately 100 minutes, though, not long into it, it feels like you’ve already become far more engrossed in the characters’ lives – and, long after it’s done, you’ll still be wondering about their fates and thinking more profoundly about the parts we all play in life and the many things money can, and cannot, buy.
Scene: A lovely, lavish living room decked out in every shade of beige, with splashes of navy blue, black and other cold colors and hard elements of metal, glass, wood and stone. Enter two attractive young ladies, who, at first gloss, seem to have little in common but for the fact they’re both colorfully clad. One is prim, proper and posh, wearing a tailored floral number with matching sandals and shrug, while the other is far more casual, in every sense of the word.
Believe it or not, these two very different gals are sisters, and this is their special “sisters’ weekend” together… or, at least it was supposed to be.
Elemeno Pea by Molly Smith Metzler finds casual, carefree Devon visiting her younger sister, Simone, at the expansive Martha’s Vineyard estate where Simone works as personal assistant to troubled trophy wife Michaela Kell. The prestigious property-owners have left the island for the season, and have invited Simone, though she’s “the help,” to help herself to their guest house while they’re away. But just as Simone is easing into her position as mistress of the house, the actual mistress returns in a heated huff. There’s trouble in paradise, and Michaela needs Simone to do what Simone does best.
What exactly is it that Simone does best? Why is Michaela still on the island when she should be on a jet to New York? Is “sisters’ weekend” totally shot, or will the women nonetheless share meaningful moments and bond? These are only a few of the many questions the set-up to Smith Metzler’s cutting, contemporary script begs – and City Theatre’s powerful production will have you on the edge of your seat awaiting the answers, which, as it turns out, are much deeper and darker than what you might expect to find.
At the center of this stellar production are shining starlets Robin Abramson (Simone), Ariel Woodiwiss (Devon) and Kimberly Parker Green (Michaela). Each actress portrays her character’s social station believably, consistently and with great flair, giving careful attention to every detail of delivery, including vocal tone, body language and facial expression alike. Considerate blocking by Director/Artistic Director Tracy Brigden even has the ladies sitting on the furniture in different ways, again indicative of class or, perhaps, level of comfort in life. So, too, Costume Designer Robert C.T. Steele’s deliberate wardrobe decisions demonstrate the women’s differences, from the colorful outfits noted above to the neutral palette of Michaela’s loose clothing, which blends in, easily and intentionally, with the comfortable, yet unwelcoming living space set out by seasoned Scenic Designer Tony Ferrieri.
The dialogue between the three female leads is sure to leave you in stitches, due to side-splitting comedic exchanges as well as instances of heartbreaking sadness. Upping the comic ante in the play are the supporting male roles of blue-collar, Mexicano handyman Jos-B (played by Tony Chiroldes) and Nantucket-Reds-wearin’ good ole’ boy Ethan (played by Anthony Comis). Both men have scene-stealing moments and aptly portray the extreme stereotypes – or, tongue-in-cheek realities – of the social stratification often encountered along the very-east and off-coast East Coast. Chiroldes repeatedly spurs uproarious laughter, as his pot belly hangs out over his belt and his neck moves to the rhythm of his patronizing, irreverent comments. And, with his handsome, toothy grin and lofty vibrato, Comis makes all the right choices to make the audience hoot, reminding them just how annoying, arrogant and empty a silver-spoon-fed pretty boy can be, if left to his own (de)vices.
Best described as a comic clash of the classes, Elemeno Pea will make you laugh, cry and think, and will thoroughly entertain your senses and sensibilities from start to end. The play, itself, lasts approximately 100 minutes, though, not long into it, it feels like you’ve already become far more engrossed in the characters’ lives – and, long after it’s done, you’ll still be wondering about their fates and thinking more profoundly about the parts we all play in life and the many things money can, and cannot, buy.
Five Stars
Elemeno Pea runs at City Theatre through March 22. Tickets can be purchased here.
Special thanks to City Theatre for complimentary press tickets.
Special thanks to City Theatre for complimentary press tickets.