Theatre Schmeatre is now presenting the 80s classic, "Reckless," by Craig Lucas. The play tells the story of Rachel (played by Alyssa Keene), a housewife and mother of two, who is forced to leave her home on Christmas Eve, when her husband informs her that he has hired a hit man to come kill her that very evening.
Fleeing in only her nightgown, Rachel leaves her happy and secure life of domesticity behind and is propelled on a 20 year, Candide-esque adventure mixed, accordingly, with good fortune and sorrow in a landscape colored with characters of uncertain identities, random events, and unbelievable coincidences.
Her travels lead her to Lloyd and Pooty (played by Carter Rodriguez and Megan Ahiers), a happy couple with many secrets. A game show, cash prize, and two mysterious deaths later, Rachel and Lloyd are now on the run when Lloyd's old bad habits resurface - he's an alcoholic who drinks himself to death. Rachel eventually finds herself homeless, silenced, and on the verge of complete destruction, when things once again change, and reality becomes something completely different.
This is a relatively well-written play that explores some very deep themes dealing with questions of identity, the ever-changing nature of reality, and our ability to truly know others and ourselves. It is an entertaining and thought provoking play whose only major weakness is the ending, where it abandons the dark world it had explored throughout, and seeks to establish a sense of hope and connection in the end.
The show is adequately directed by Carol Roscoe and includes an equally adequate cast that also includes: Mathew Middleton, Carter Rodriguez, Megan Ahiers, Ben McFadden, Samie Detzer, and Tracy Leigh.
Keene, as Rachel, does a good job in the lead role, though at times her performance comes across as a bit too generic. The set design by Michael Mowery is functional though not spectacular.
In the end, this is a pretty good show with competent writing, competent acting, and competent direction. "Reckless" is now playing at Theater Schmeater (1500 Summit Avenue) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm from November 18 - December 17. Advance tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by phone at 800-838-3006.
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