With exploration unknown in Terra Incognita, Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre’s production of “On the Verge” is funny, whimsical and solid proof that these young actors know how to put on a show. And that they did on opening night. In the beginning there is a wonder whether or not the three explorers, all formidable women of 1888 are on the verge of insanity, or have tapped into something much different.
With exploration unknown in Terra Incognita, Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre’s production of “On the Verge” is funny, whimsical and solid proof that these young actors know how to put on a show. And that they did on opening night. In the beginning there is a wonder whether or not the three explorers, all formidable women of 1888 are on the verge of insanity, or have tapped into something much different. Full of symbolism with the use of language, artifacts, Fanny (Casey McNellen), Mary (Emma Dickson) and Alex (Kassandra Wallies) proceed on in this mystical jungle of Terra Incognita, only to find that they are traveling through time.
The three explorers challenge the impossible and often misunderstood concepts of human imagination and in the beginning the terms, artifacts and encounters seem to make little sense until it is understood that through osmosis, that what they see, say and do is influenced as they passed through time.
With many twists, the story falls into place and these three actors are as formidable as the women they portrayed. Full of offbeat comedy, this production not only makes you laugh, but think as well as they travel from 1888 to 1955. With very little props, and a tremendous amount of difficult dialogue, the production had people laughing and clapping before the scene was done. It was simply extraordinary acting, with lines so complex the acting skills were undeniable. And Raymond Kazules, who played several characters throughout the play demonstrated the vast variety of talent this young actor has. His portrayal of the oracle, with the help of some phenomenal costume design, was over the top and had all of us in the audience in tears with laughter.
This performance, though small in cast, was large in production. Everything seen had purpose and every line of dialogue fed the story to the next level. For those that love mystery, comedy and history, this play is one of the best performances of the season. The difficulty of idiom, timing of the comedy and the veracity of acting makes this play a must see if you have the chance. It is nothing short of great story telling and the quirkiness of characters only adds to the adventure as you travel through time in Terra Incognita.
Now playing through Nov. 21.
