Dan Myers, Lumi Photography
Daniel Jajewski plays Jacob in Mercury Players' staging of The Beautiful Dark.
Mercury Players Theatre's striking production of The Beautiful Dark (through Feb. 7 at the Bartell Theater) evokes a level of intrigue and discomfort enhanced by its intimate setting. When young Jacob (Daniel Jajewski) returns home after being expelled from college, he joins his now-divorced parents and younger brother Charlie (Trent Imhoff). Secrets begin to seep into their daily lives, including the true reason for Jacob's sudden return. Through a series of interconnected stories, the show takes the audience into the past to explain the present. The effect is at times tragic, at times comic and always anxiety-provoking.
Erik Gernand's script is sharp and witty, providing just the right amount of biting sarcasm. The snappy dialogue propels the story while still providing the necessary time for the pieces of the plot to unfold.
The single set, designed by Gretchen Wheat and Jake Jacobson, functions smoothly to transition between a home and an office. Shifting lighting and small adjustments help the set feel versatile.
With Suzan Kurry's expert direction, the cast of six creates a vibrant, quietly dark family. Kurry's work stands out in the well-built and complex relationships between the characters.
The family shares problems and hide secrets equally, blaming no single person when things begin to unravel. Imhoff makes a strong impression from his first scene. His character is strong-hearted and vulnerable, and builds a strong relationship with mother Nancy (Sara Beth Hahner). Nancy's outpouring of anger and sadness toward the play's bitter end captivates, and Hahner avoids becoming overly dramatic. As her intensity rises, her relationship with her other son, Jacob, flourishes. Hahner plays intensely and emotionally alongside Jajewski, whose bitterness permeates every line. And while he sometimes veers into heavy diction, his eruptive anger is intense and personal.
This play's strength lies in its tight ensemble. John Jajewski and Emmaline Friederichs act impeccably as Jacob's father and ex-girlfriend. Their standout roles are integral to the unfolding of the plot and revealing of secrets and bring a heightened urgency to their key scenes. Ned O'Reilly, in his role as Jacob's former teacher, sheds light on Jacob's past and Nancy's greatest fear.
The storylines in The Beautiful Dark are not unexpected. But the intensity of being in a small theater with a well-rounded, experienced cast of all ages brings a sense of unfamiliarity to what could -- in less-capable hands -- become a predictable story.
