Oscar E Moore

On the second floor of a dilapidated PS 160 at 107 Suffolk Street @ Rivington is the Teatro La Tea where Clout in the Mug Productions is presenting two riveting One Act plays by Edward Allan Baker – “Dolores” & “North of Providence”. 

It’s worth the trip to see four excellent actors – Rachel Cornish, Sat Charn Fox, John Golaszewski and Rebecca Nyahay portraying fleshed out Italian Catholic siblings venting full out on Valentine’s Day, 1984 in Rhode Island – somewhat akin to those Jersey Shore folks.

Not a word is wasted in the writing of Mr. Baker.  He delves deep into the motivations and psyches of his characters and thankfully he has a director – Alberto Bonilla – who knows exactly how to stage and pace and coax his actors into giving living and breathing reality to these troubled siblings.    

Both plays begin with a voice over from a radio station DJ playing Valentine Dedications called in from listeners to their loved ones.  Only there is not much love in the air in these two separate households.  That is, at first.

Dolores (Sat Charn Fox) has come to her sister Sandra (Rachel Cornish) fleeing from her abusive husband. This has happened too many times before and Sandra wants her out before her husband returns from a Sunday in the park outing with their kids.  Sparks fly and we slowly begin to see the ice melt between them as they share stories and insults in dialogue that is frightening and funny – tender and tough.

In part two Carol (Rebecca Nyahay) has come to get her drunken brother Bobby (John Golaszewski) to visit their dad who is near death in the hospital.  Bobby is not in such good shape himself – living in a mess surrounded by bottles of booze and half empty beer cans that he drinks from whenever and wherever he comes across one.   His reluctance to go results in some eye opening revelations about their relationship.

Both plays are emotionally raw.  Both show how siblings can detest each other and find grounds for affection.  Both plays involve guns.  And lots of love.

Try to get to see these fine actors at the Teatro La Tea.

www.cloutinthemug.com  General Admission $18.00  Through February 12^th.

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