Theatrical Review: A Walk in the Woods

A WALK IN THE WOODS
Written by: Lee Blessing
Directed by: Neal Johnson*
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented The Worthington Players* production of “A Walk in the Woods” by Lee Blessing. The presentation of this play was originally scheduled to take place in March of 2009, but it had to be canceled due to the sudden illness of one of its cast members. However, after the cast member’s full recovery, it was decided to re-present the play for a limited run. In this reviewer’s opinion, this was a very good decision as this production is well worth experiencing.

The play centers around two negotiators working to resolve the US and USSR differences over a nuclear reduction treaty. The fact the Soviet Union has dissolved sometime ago and the world no longer faces an immanent nuclear holocaust may lead some to believe this play is somewhat outdated. But, the play isn’t really about the negotiations, but about the two men and the relationship they develop. On this, the play works on many levels while exploring the nature of relationships and the obstacles we create in obtaining them.

From the very first few moments of the play, the audience is drawn into the relationship as the two characters enter the stage already in heated discussion. The conversation continues to enhance the audience’s attention by becoming a dance in which each character moves to obtain a better position in order to take advantage of the knowledge they obtain. It was amusing to see how the older diplomat was able to clandestinely learn much from the younger one without revealing anything about himself.

As the play progressed, a genuine friendship emerges and the audience begins to recognize the dynamics of their own relationships though what is portrayed upon the stage. The mistrust, internal anxieties, histories, and other factors explored in the production can be interposed upon our own productions. After all, much of the stress we place on forming criteria in our search for companionship is pretty much a production of our own making and this play pretty much mirrors this.

Yet, the alternative is isolation and becoming disengaged from humanity and our humanness. The play ultimately reminds us (as the director puts it in his notes) embrace “the wonderful treasures we have in each other” while not becoming consumed by what we push aside to get to them. The play eventually end with the two characters sitting in silence which allows such treasures to be discovered and much more profound unspoken things to be communicated.

The Cast consisted of Scott E. McIntosh who Portrayed Andrey Botvinnik the elder Soviet Negotiator and Patrick Turner who portrayed John Honeyman the younger US Negotiator. This reviewer have seen these two actors in numerous productions presented on The Shawnee Playhouse* stage and it’s my opinion their performances are among their best work. Their interpretations of the characters they portrayed were right on the mark and made their believability to the audience easy to accept allowing each member to see themselves in them.

The Worthington Players* production of “A Walk in the Woods” by Lee Blessing was Directed by Neal Johnson* who demonstrated considerable skills as this play would merely be a presentation of two talking heads by a director not seeking the play’s more in-depth themes. The production was Stage Managed by Salome Kingsley* with Heather Dean as the Second Stage Manager. The Lights and Siound Director was Jessica Johnson*. The Executive Director of The Shawnee Playhouse* is Midge McClosky* while the producers are Ginny and Charlie Kirkwood. Group Sales of their productions are handled by Mary Horn* (who also served as a member of the Box Office Staff) while The Shawnee Playhouse publicity is handled by Amy Cramer*. The Box office staff includes Becky Haskell, Barbara Ross, and Lillian Gonzalez*.

Unfortunately, this production of “A Walk in the Woods” by Lee Blessing has concluded its run at The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA but it was a superb theatrical experience while it lasted. The next Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presentations will be a musical review entitled, “Always… Patsy Cline” June 5th - July 12th along with their productions of “Camelot” June 26th - August 9th, “Wit” July 10th - August 2nd, and “Dames at Sea” July 24th - August 30th. Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $2.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse* Productions (excluding Children Theatrical Productions and those presented by non Shawnee Production Companies). Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse* at 570-421-5093 or Explore their website for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Photograph provided by The Shawnee Playhouse depicting Patrick Turner and Scott E. McIntosh.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.