Laura Sosnowski as Winnie and Jamie Gutzler as Claire
The Hat Box
By Eric Coble
Directed by Charlotte Taylor
Produced by Rover Dramawerks
Audience Rating: PG-13, adult language and situations
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 min with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available, call or email ahead of time
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises/Visuals to Prepare For: glimpses of dismembered body parts, adult language
Reviewed by Teri Lynn Williams
Rover Dramawerks production of The Hat Box is an absolute chaotic hilarity into family secrets. Rover Dramawerks currently in its’ 25 th season has a reputation for producing shows “off the beaten path” and slightly quirky and The Hat Box by playwright Eric Coble is no exception.
Anyone who has a family understands there are things not discussed and when evidence of a certain family secret becomes uncovered all politeness, courtesies and manners go flying out the front door. At first glance, the set seems quite simple. The couch is small and orange, the furniture is brown, there are books, a record player, and boxes filled with random household items. We also see a beaded curtain doorway and one small dining room table. As the show progresses, it becomes quite clear the vision behind director Charlotte Taylor as we move from place to place and each scene and character gets more colorful. Set designer Mike Straub, prop designer Kristin M. Burgess and lighting designer Kenneth Hall fabulously immerse us into each scene with broad changes. And a definite shout out to the stage manager Lydia Sims and the entire crew for an all hands on deck swift approach to set changes, the coordination of this was admirable. When the play opens we see Claire, played by Jamie Gutzler. Gutzler has mastered the physical ability to be quite interesting while seeming disinterested. Gutzler gives Claire, who is the tamer one of the two sisters, a dimension of intrigue. In the opening, Claire is sorting through her parents items with a matter of fact pace that screams eldest sibling, though later we learn she is in fact the youngest.
The elder sister is Winnie, played by gifted comedic and physical actress Laura Sosnowski. Winnie bursts onto the scene in full force and with this, we can see with the talents of costume designer Sakura Brunette and the striking differences between Claire and Winnie.
Commence the Chaos!
In order to get answers, the girls journey to speak with other relatives. Here is where we meet Aunt Esther. Esther, played superbly by Ruth Hale, conveys the honesty of elders in such a fabulous fashion. The dynamics between Hale and Sosnowski is so delightful, these two actresses make these powder keg characters so lovable. Along the way, we also meet Stanley and Marsha. Anthony Magee who expertly plays.
Stanley gives us adorableness, frustration, and exhaustion all in one motion. Magee is able to swing emotions in a very talented manner. Marsha, played with such a cleverness by Vivian Reed, brings giggles with her seemingly ditzy manner, however, she is way more than meets the eye. Reed has this uncanny blank stare and puppy head tilt which is so very entertaining.
Through the meetings, the two sisters learn much more about their family than intended and as an audience we get to witness the unraveling. (Think the scene in Friends where all the secrets are spilled within a few minutes) And with the riveting talents of Gutzler and Sosnowski as they explode with the TMI, we are provided with engaging entertainment for sure. The Hat Box runs March 6-22 at the Cox Playhouse.
To The Stage,
Teri Lynn Williams
Photos by Charlotte Taylor
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