The Arts / Reviews

Theater review: Chicks delight in ‘Crimes'

By David Burke | Wednesday, August 13, 2008 | () comments

(Contributed photo)

In making some announcements before Playcrafters’ “Crimes of the Heart” last weekend, director Jeri Benson bragged that, for what may be the first time, its production crew is all women.

That only seems fair since most of the work done onstage is by women as well.

A talented trio of actresses makes Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy-drama a very recommended summer evening diversion.

The three — Karrie McLaughlin, Jessica Nicol and Ashley Hoskins — play sisters in the small town of Hazelhurst, Miss., each with their own problems.

Lenny (McLaughlin), the eldest, has been caring for their ailing grandfather at the expense of any social life. Meg (Nicol), the middle daughter, crashed after trying her luck with a singing career in Los Angeles. And the youngest, Babe (Hoskins), is accused of trying to murder her lawyer-politician

husband.

Each excels, with McLaughlin as the stoic rock, Nicol bringing a spark and charm to the erstwhile singer and Hoskins displaying a Reese Witherspoon-esque naivete as the woman-child accused of murder.

To the mix, add a judgmental busybody cousin (Donna Weeks, who gets some nice onstage business); Babe’s lawyer (Broc Nelson, nicely playing up the nervousness), who happens to be smitten with his client; and Doc (a sturdy Lance Hanson), Meg’s old flame and a friend of the family. (Full disclosure No. 1: I played Doc during the early ‘90s in a community theater production in Kansas.)

It’s the 30th anniversary of Henley writing the black comedy, but it doesn’t show its age. Ignore the program note that says it takes place in the fall of 2007. With the exception of some recyclable Wal-Mart bags and a cordless telephone, the show is timeless.

Benson brings as much of a comedic touch as possible to a show that brushes on suicide, attempted murder, mental illness and underage sex. The characters alternate nicely between chasing each other around tables and heart-to-heart talks in the kitchen. (Full disclosure No. 2: Benson and I have collaborated on a previous theater project.)

Little touches, such as the loud, high-pitched shrieks when the long-lost sisters see each other or those who talk over each other during an argument, only add to the production’s authenticity.

Movies have their “chick flicks,” but as far as “chick plays” go, it’s hard to do better than “Crimes of the Heart.”

IF YOU GO

What: “Crimes of the Heart”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 18-19; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Where: Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline

How much: $10

Information: (309) 762-0330 or Playcrafters.com

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this review at qctimes.com.