Bizarre, perplexing and wholly unique allegory deftly performed Lifeline Theatre, specializing in adapting novels for the stage, finds adapter Frances Limoncelli putting her magic spin on Rachel Ingalls' 1986 novel-Mrs. Caliban. "In my books, I like to play with convention." -Rachel Ingalls
This refreshing and thoroughly enticing drama is part magical realism, part fable and part fantasy. It plays out like a blend of science fiction and contemporary minimalistic realism. The real and surreal blend into a chilling tale.
Dorothy (Brenda Barrie) is locked in a lifeless marriage of empty domestic ritual with her husband, Fred (Dan Granata) until a fugitive from another world-Larry (Peter Greenberg) arrives on her doorstep. With him, she finds forbidden love and experiences a rebirth of her spirit, as she learns to question her assumptions about the world. Dorothy wonders on a whimsical and heartbreaking journey as she dares to live and love unconventionally, in this remarkable drama acclaimed as one of the greatest post-war American novels. Brenda Barrie is quite effective as the understated yet thrill-seeking women. Is she acting out delusional thoughts from the stress of losing her child and her dog? Is this story a dream or real?
Peter Greenberg, in full green skin, is the weirdly likable amphibian-man who has become a semi-human after being held for scientific research. Dorothy and Larry (the name give him by his captures) enter into a sensual world of lust and wonderment.
Mrs. Caliban unfolds as a bizarre love story as we wonder what will happen next to both Larry and Dorothy? So suspend your disbelief a tad more and enjoy the intoxicating unconventional world of Mrs. Caliban thinly disguised as a realistic drama. This show is worth seeing.
