Dan Myers
Jim Chiolino as Father Martin in "Finding Human."
Playwright Dan Myers’ chilling drama about a death row inmate’s final week was so well-received at its January debut it is moving from the cozy Broom Street Theater to the Bartell.
In the new production of Finding Human, which features the same cast and runs through Nov. 28, Bob Moore reprises his role as the Hannibal Lecter-esque James. With a signature smirk and stony demeanor, Moore lets his guard down in scenes with the prison chaplain Father Martin (a humble Jim Chiolino), shedding light on the vulnerability of his otherwise stoic character.
The unknown drives the drama: Why did James kill that priest? Why won’t he divulge his motives? Why does he seem so content with his imminent death?
Chiolino and Kirk Baumbach, as Sgt. McGovern, the short-tempered prison guard, draws out out different aspects of James’ humanity. Father Martin brings out James’ softer side as the priest attempts to save his life (and his soul), while McGovern stokes the prisoner’s disdain for the world with unwarranted inhumane treatment.
Stuck in the middle of it all is James’ cellmate Bill Shaw (a versatile Donnovan Moen). Bill has been moved to James’ cell in an attempt to finally uncover James’ motives for murdering a priest.
Audio clips of newscasts remind audience members how society often denies the humanity of prisoners. Meanwhile, the sound of a heartbeat during scene changes is a subtle reminder of what we share, regardless of our life choices.
Myers’ gritty, 90-minute play is not a feel-good show. It is a harsh reminder that we should not pass judgment on others because so often we do not know the whole story. More important, it reminds us of our shared human condition.
