By DANIEL SHOCK
A Seat on the Aisle
The year is 1962. The place is Chicago. The story is a dark exploration of the broken lives of a single mother, Sue Barker (Christine Zavakos), and the people closest to her.
As William Inge’s play Natural Affection opens, Sue and her live-in boyfriend, Bernie (Alex Oberheide), initially seem happy and in love. But we soon start to see the stresses they face. Sue, with her well-paying job, pays the bills, leaving Bernie feeling angry and emasculated. They are anticipating the return of Sue’s teenage son, Donnie (Zach Hoover).
We also meet their next-door neighbors, Vince and Claire (Ronn Johnstone and Diana O’Halloran). Claire is lonely and feels neglected, and Vince is hiding some very secret pain. When Donnie arrives, we start to see the seeds of rage that have been planted in the young man.
This combination of pain and desire, both spoken and unspoken, leads our characters toward an unexpected and explosive conclusion.
Director Chris Saunders has assembled a first-rate group of actors to bring this story to life. Somehow, I am unfamiliar with all the cast members in this production, yet every single one of them delivers a fantastic performance. They seemed to be plucked right off the set of Mad Men. Christine Zavakos is heartbreaking as Sue, the single mom. Her character is in a tough spot trying to hold on to the good things in her life while also trying to embrace her son. As Sue’s boyfriend Bernie, Alex Oberheide skillfully makes this man sympathetic, even as he seems caught between what the expectations for a man used to be and what they are becoming.
(From left) Zach Hoover as Donnie Barker, Ronn Johnstone as Vince Brinkman, Alex Oberheide as Bernie Slovenk, and Diana O’Halloran as Claire Brinkman. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Ronn Johnstone as Vince is impeccable. His Vince is on the verge of something … but can’t quite make it where he wants to go. As Vince’s wife Claire, Diana O’Halloran is everything you would want the character to be – she is tempting, she is needy, and she is tragic. Zach Hoover as Donnie is the spark that ultimately burns everything down. Zach manages to switch from being soft and gentle to frightening at terrifying speed.
Finally, the four actors who fill the minor roles are also wonderful: Wendy Brown, Tim Leonard, Garrett Row, and Haley Glickman play a few different characters – each distinct and a good fit. None of these characters are innocent. But you do feel like you could almost forgive all of them. If they had been born 10 to 15 years later, their lives would surely have been very different. Bravo to the cast for connecting with the material so well!
The technical aspects of the show are well done: the set by Chyna Mayer is well designed, the lighting by Tim Dick is effective, and all of the sound cues by Aidan Sturgeon are very efficient at setting the mood and the time and place. The costumes by Stephen Hollenbeck are gorgeous. The colors, the fabrics, and most notably the fit are all perfect. Again, they could have all come from the set of Mad Men.
I was blown away by this performance. I am rarely left gasping at the end of a show, but this one did it. There is a content warning for this show. I brought my 13-year-old son, and he enjoyed it and got quite a lot out of it. But I’m sure this is not for all 13-year-olds. The production is recommended for ages 16 and up. As with all material, know your child and you will be fine.
This production of Natural Affection is wonderfully directed by Chris Saunders and produced by the American Lives Theatre. It will run through Jan. 21 at Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis. I should also mention that the program states that the role of Sue will be played at some performances by a different actress: Carrie Ann Schlatter. I AM familiar with Ms. Schlatter’s work and the show will be every bit as good with her in the role. I would not let that be a factor in deciding to see the show. Remaining shows are: Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m.
For tickets, please call the box office at (317) 210-4639 or purchase them online at americanlivestheatre.org/tickets-events.
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