by J.E.Ballantyne Jr.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Playhouse opened its 101st season Friday night with the little-known play “People, Places and Things” by Duncan MacMillan. And “little-known” is an understatement. Very, very few people have heard of it.
But once you see the Playhouse production, you will never forget it. It will be forever etched in your memory.
There have been many plays and movies written about addictions and treatments of all kinds but MacMillan has penned one of the most emotional jarring accounts that I can remember.
The audience meets Emma in the first scene. She’s an actress and is on stage in a performance of Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”
The moment Emma (Brandy Johanntges) enters, the audience sees things aren’t right. A far-off gaze soon descends into a complete meltdown as Emma’s alcohol and drug addiction send her into an incomprehensible blather.
Reluctantly heading into rehab, Emma decides to “play the game.” She’ll say what they want to hear, put in her time, get a certificate and get out. But things aren’t quite that easy since those providing the treatment have seen and heard it all before.
The role of Emma is not only the rudder for this show but is also the entire ship.
Johanntges’s performance is pure gold. She gives Emma a gritty, hard and abusive exterior as she fights everything in her path upon entering rehab.
Emma blames the world for her problems rather than looking within herself and seeing a person that she does not want to see or even suggest exists. Her energy in her early rehab scenes is relentless, a fireball of resistance to anyone attempting to reach her.
The role is an emotional roller coaster and Johanntges meets that challenge at each and every level. Her outrage and tirades are sharp and cutting but her deep emotional pain is also well played. The hurt she is feeling is so natural that you are rooting for her even though you aren’t sure if Emma’s lying or not.
There is not a scene that Emma is not in. And because of that constant presence, the audience buys into the struggles Emma is going through and feels the the pain and anguish of each difficult step along her road to recovery. Johanntges develops this character with the skill of a surgeon.
Emma has powerful highs and bottomless lows, all of which are crafted to perfection. As Emma moves along with her rehab, she herself changes and becomes a different person. Johanntges handles this so seamlessly that you don’t even realize it is happening.
Emma has a scene where she explains what acting and theater are and how an actor lives a life of pretend where nothing is real until the show is over and you have to return to the reality of your own life. Anybody who has been in theater for any period of time can certainly relate to what she is saying.
Johanntges’ energy never quits or even wavers for the duration of the show. And it is an emotionally and energy draining role to play. This portrayal will go down as a classic. She has set the bar high for other Playhouse actresses.
I have seen Johanntges in many roles over the years, but this one shines far beyond all of the others. If there was ever a reason for bringing back the beloved Arthur Awards to the Playhouse, this is it. She would be a shoo-in for a Best Actress award.
But as good as Johanntges is, there are others who help to make that light shine. Molly Galano, a name well known to Playhouse audiences, plays Emma’s Doctor/ Therapist at the rehab facility. Galano is a strong presence as the leader of the rehab group that hopes to turn Emma around. A daunting task to be sure, but Galano gives the doctor a sensitive approach. She also has the iron will to stand up to the sometimes brutal Emma and put her in her place.
The sensitivity of Galano’s portrayal play off the raw emotion of Emma and makes for some powerful scenes that smack the audience right in the face. To add to an already great performance, Galano returns in Act II as Emma’s mother in a real turnabout role. She goes from the kind, sensitive Therapist to the cold steely stare of a woman who’s life has known nothing but misery and disappointment since Emma broke their family.
Peter Sherman plays the role of Mark, a patient at the facility who becomes a rehab employee upon his graduation. Mark, having the same name as Emma’s deceased brother, turns in a strong performance. Mark is a strong spark that forces Emma to start seeing the reality of her situation but then becomes a good friend along the way. Emma was very attached to her brother, and perhaps sees Mark as a substitute for him and those lost years.
The rest of the cast provides strong support for those already mentioned. Rob Whiting, Richard Smiley, Steven Fraley, Becky McConnell, Rachel Franek, Lisa Torrence, Eric McCrea, Tricia Terlesky, Maria Ceraolo, Donovan Rubante, Amy Banks, Rachel Clifford, and Lindie Schwarten all provide valuable appearances as members of the rehab group, Emma’s hallucinations, and various other people surrounding Emma’s life. All add some depth to an already powerful production.
Director Christopher Fidram is to be applauded for bringing this little known play to the Youngstown area. His mindful direction and vision for the script was apparent throughout the production. His attention to detail in a detail-heavy show added realism and believability to each scene.
Set design by Fidram and Johnny Pecano was minimal but fit right into the cold hard story that was presented. Ellen Licitra’s lighting design was nothing short of excitement. LEDs and small specials along with lots of color help with focus, and jarring lighting cues that help interpret the suddenness and unpredictabilty of its main character.
“People, Places and Things” is not your leisurely, sit back and enjoy type of show. It is jarring, it is emotional, it is sometimes chaotic, but it is always great theater, done with an excellent cast that you will never get out of your mind. Call for tickets, they will be going fast.
Caution: Not recommended for young audiences.
“People, Places and Things” will continue Aug. 16, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., and
Aug. 17 and 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured at top: Brandy Johanntges and Pete Sherman in a scene from the Youngstown Playhouse’s production of “People, Places & Things.”