I'm sometimes asked who is my favorite actor. My standard answer is that if, at the end of the performance (stage or film), I say, "Oh my God, I didn't realize that was so and so!" then realize it was an actor totally immersed into their role. Yes, it's the actor so good, you forget who they are. In our small arena of community theater, that is almost impossible. But last night, at PowPAC, I watched three actresses, two of whom I've seen many times and one I've never seen. They were directed by an actress/director whose work I've seen many times. The performances from last night will be etched into my memory cells for the rest of my life
Darilyn David has recently returned to California after a hiatus in Portland, Oregon. Audiences in San Diego will be so happy she has returned. She is Doctor Martha Livingstone in John Pielmeier's brilliant and highly controversial, Agnes of God.
Martha discusses the case of a very young nun accused of killing her baby at birth. She has been appointed by the court to determine the mental condition of the accused. Martha is a former Catholic, now an atheist, who has serious issues with religion and much, much more. David's performance, right through to her last line, is exceptional.
Miranda Porter is Agnes. Porter has played a traditionally male role (the emcee in Cabaret) and Annie Sullivan (in The Miracle Worker, both at Patio Playhouse). Here she is an innocent. Agnes' upbringing, really a misnomer, was not normal. Her reactions to normal situations are slightly askew. When stressed, she displays an array of emotions that are classical studies in abnormal psychology. She is, sadly, a mess with a terrible repressed memory.
Kate Hewitt is the easy-to-dislike dislikable Mother Miriam Ruth, an apparently ruthless nun who will stop at nothing to protect her young charge. Ruth appears dogmatic, not able to veer even an inch from her teachings. As with the other characters, Ruth evolves. It is the evolution in all that makes Agnes of God so memorable. (Incidentally, Hewitt is no stranger to nun roles. She has appeared twice in Nunsense and also in Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It all to You.)
Bringing this all together, first in casting these three fine actresses and then directing them, is Raylene J. Wall. It is often said that directing is 90 percent(or more) casting. The rest is easy. It doesn't hurt casting some of the best dramatic actresses in town, but it still takes informed, excellent directing to make it all happen before the audience. In Agnes of God it all comes together.
Wall's set is simplicity: a small office on one side, a religious area on the other, both backed by simple black drapes. Diane Day designed a stained-glass window that says a lot about the story. Costumer Sharon Bowen provides two proper habits and gives David a very professional look in her tailored suit. Peter McGuinness' lighting design isolates playing areas and gives certain areas a pleasant warm glow.
Do yourself a favor and see the best production I've seen this season and one of the top ten in the last five years. Agnes of God is not a play for the faint of heart. It is a very serious look at three people's view on life and religion. Don't miss it.
