Story Power

Redwood Curtain presents Fiction, a contemporary drama by Steven Dietz, at the Arcata Playhouse through Aug. 22. James Lawer directs, with scenic and lighting design by Greta Stockwell and costumes by Catherine L. Brown.

Linda (played by Shelly Stewart) and Michael (Randy Wayne) are novelists married to each other. When Linda is diagnosed with a fatal illness, they agree to read each other’s journals. Twists and turns follow, including revelations about the involvement in both their lives of Abby (Carrie Hudson), who they separately met at a writers colony.

This play about the tangled webs of life and fiction has its fascinated fans. Stewart and Wayne — on stage almost the entire two hours — are impressive. But two aspects of the play and the production defeated my suspension of disbelief. First, the rhetorical overkill. As someone who enjoys witty and intellectual dialogue, it pains me to fault what sounded like ersatz Shaw without G.B.’s substance, spirit or wit. It also didn’t make the ungrounded characters any more believable. But fatally for me, the combination of the writing, casting, acting and directing did not compel me to believe in the relationships onstage for a single moment.

Next time: Humboldt Light Opera’s Light on the Piazza and Ferndale Rep’s Jekyll and Hyde, which also opened last weekend.

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TWO Comments

Comment / By Dave Berman / Aug. 16, 2009, 11:45 p.m.

I agree this production was a triumph - poignant, relevant, touching, funny, and balanced in presenting myriad perspectives on local issues. This review doesn’t really mention the significant role of Dennis, a Veteran For Peace who organizes a “Stand Down” for community members to assist Jason. Dennis was played by Rob Hepburn who discusses his role in a brief video here:

http://manifestpositivity.blogspot.com/2009/08/vet-for-peace-rob-hepburn-nurture.html

Also see this clip for commentary by playwright Peter Howard talking about the time he spent in our community exploring the views that were integrated into the script:

http://manifestpositivity.blogspot.com/2009/08/greek-myth-adapted-localized-for-eureka.html