By Alix Cohen
Anna (Danielle Ryan), Denise (Kate MacCluggage) and Cora (Carmen M. Herlihy) were at school together and shared rooms. Over the years, life distanced them. Cora, the neediest of the three, was not approached by either. Anna and Denise stopped speaking over Oliver who moved from the first to the second sister then died. Anna did not attend the funeral.
Mark O’ Rowe’s intimate play is comprised of a series of vignettes as the young women meet two at a time over coffee. Anna and Cora run into each other or they might never have seen one another again. They talk about Emily, a peer who committed suicide, and Anna’s ex-boyfriend who died of natural causes. She calls him the love of her life and is sure Denise went behind her back. Cora asks about reconciliation but is shut down.
Anna is seeing Wayne now. With little prodding, she shares one of his most romantic gestures, suddenly aware that Cora remains alone. The latter leans in attentive, available, sympathetic. “Let’s have a drink next week,” Anna suggests. She never calls.
Cora and Denise apparently also run into one another. Denise is now married with a baby. “I was broken up when he died, but I’m not sure I ever loved him,” she says referring to Oliver. Cora winces. Denise swears they didn’t get together until he and Anna broke up and is furious about being falsely accused.
Anna evidently parted from Wayne. Cora is again seeing someone from years ago. She volunteers one of his imaginative romantic gestures. “Why don’t you and he come to dinner soon,” Denise suggests. She never calls.
Just back from holiday, Anna has coffee with Denise who sent Jarred packing. We never learn what brought the sisters together- an odd omission. Both are forgiving. Denise describes one of her husband’s great romantic gestures. Real feelings about Oliver emerge. The siblings talk about living with Cora- “Cora, Jeez,” pause, and move on. “Come meet your nephew Saturday,” Denise says inviting Anna. “Yes.”
Logically the play should end here. We know something dreadful has happened to Cora- perhaps another suicide. Still, a repeat of Anna and Cora’s initial meeting with extended dialogue ensues. Cora admits being beaten up by a boyfriend she still loves. (Does he exist?) Anna is appalled… Did O’ Rowe paint himself into a corner? Half new, half a repeat, it makes no sense.
Acting is consistently good. All the actresses emerge natural; all three know how to listen before responding.
Director Conor Bagley has his finger on excellent pacing.
Scenic Design by Daniel Prosky is as minimal as it gets.
Stephanie Bahniuk’s Costumes reflect personalities. All seem dated.
Bridging drums resonate so loudly they seem to announce the return of Odysseus and not a three-hander of recollection.
(Joyce Ciesel)
Photos by Carol Rosegg
The Approach by Mark O’Rowe
Directed by Conor Bagley
The W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre at Irish Repertory Theatre
132 West 22nd Street https://irishrep.org/
