If you look up the phrase "Hot Button," you'll find a picture of the pseudonymous Jane Martin beside it. The plays this person (or people) write are always charged with a difficult topic, be it abortion, as in the play Keely & Du, or child molestation, as in the kaleidoscopic Mr. Bundy. It is precisely the kind of work at which In Mixed Company excels. There are several extremes shining light on the myriad of grey areas of the topic. Director Kevin Kerrigan proves to be adept at balancing the obvious with the subtle, allowing his actors to paint with broad strokes initially, and develop into contrasts. Here, as in all of Martin's work, there are no good guys or bad, just choices with consequences.
The titled Mr. Bundy is an older gentleman with a past. He loves children, but was himself a high school teacher who was convicted of having sex with a minor. He has lived next door to the Ferreby family, mother, father, and daughter, for two years and seemed to be sweet. Soon, though, redneck trucker with a vendetta Jimmy Ray and his blowzy wife Tianna alert the Ferreby's to Mr. Bundy's past. Will the liberal Ferreby's allow the vengeful couple to sway their opinion and drive the old man from the neighborhood. While it seems pretty cut-and-dry a proposition, letting the old man settle after having served his time, the portrait of Bundy is a disturbing one. To root for one side or the other has its pitfalls.
Mr. Kerrigan allows humor and fear to drive this piece. He is not afraid to poke fun at characters while simultaneously forcing the audience to confront their own ambiguity on the subject. It's easy to put down Jimmy Ray and Tianna as uneducated, yet their own story is a sad one that defies dismissal. The performances that Mr. Kerrigan draws from the actors never lets things to be easily decided.
Marcus Smith is the father who would ordinarily be the hero if real life didn't interfere. We can empathize with his fear for his family, but are often reminded of his shortcomings, which Mr. Smith handles very well. Debra K. Stevens is the more liberal wife and mother, yet her character's doubts are given great meaning as she portrays them. Mike Prindiville offers a subtle, creepy performance as Jimmy Ray, yet he is skilled at ensuring the darker side of his role is balanced by an understandable urge. Less subtle, yet surprisingly effective is Lisa Fogel as Tianna, who plays up the hokey southern gal but can stop the audience on a dime with the revelations of her own dark tragedy. Paul Benchwick does a superb job with the conflicted, haunted Mr. Bundy. Mr. Benchwick's hesitations and ever-present wariness balance the tinge of urge that still seems to threaten him. Rebecca Klein offers a good take as the daughter in the midst of this plight, while Barbara McGrath does an excellent job in her role as a neighbor with opinions of her own.
The basic scenic design by Michael Brooks is effective, and Michael J. Eddy's lighting design works quite well. Benjamin Morad's sound design is solid, and Paul Wilson's costumes work for all characters. Kudos go to Suzette Puski for her excellent and eye-catching graphic design for the production.
This intermissionless evening is not easy to define, but neither are any of the subjects touched upon. Everyone spent a lot of time debating the play after the Thursday night show. That says to me that this play and its production are successful at creating a buzz, which is the greatest compliment Martin and IMCo can receive.
Production Details:
Mr. Bundy by Jane Martin
In Mixed Company
Phoenix Theatre Little Theatre, Phoenix (For a
map to location, click this
link)
(602) 254-2151
June 28th - July 14th, 2001