Another great production, this time at ion! There’s a lot of heat emanating from the ion stage, and it’s not just from the weather in Argo, Alabama in 1962. John Ball’s In the Heat of the Night, adapted by Matt Pelfrey and directed by Francis Gercke packs powerful punches in this taut, disturbing drama set during the dark days of racial segregation. Which is why the lighting (Karen Filijan) on the adaptable set designed by Brian Redfern is often dim. Chief Gillespie (played by Tom Stephenson) thinks his police station leads the pack in solving crimes. He has an eager cop Sam Wood (Jake Rosko) who loves his job, when he’s not gazing through windows at the sensuous Noreen Purdy (Rachael VanWormer) and a lazy cop Pete (Brian Mackey) who prefers popcorn and mouthing off to upholding the law. But there’s a murder to solve and the first suspect is a black man Virgil Tibbs (Vimel Sephus). Then there’s the victim’s daughter Melanie Tatum (Jessica John) and her father Tatum (Eric Poppick) and eventually other suspects like Oberst (Eddie Yaroch) and Ralph (Fred Harlow). And Argo’s Mayor Schubert (Tim West) wants the case closed quickly. Sephus is the standout in this production. He’s a very smart detective. He’s from Pasadena where blacks are accepted as cops. His calm, professional demeanor permeates every scene as he unfolds the clues to the killer. And he takes the racial slurs in stride. Rosko becomes his right hand man in a solid, grounded performance. Poppick plays three roles, each one with the accomplished style we have come to expect from this actor. Harlow is blustery and appropriately offended. Yaroch delivers a nervous Oberst and a protective and outraged Purdy, father of Noreen. West is wound up tight as the town leader pushing his demands. Stephenson prowls his scenes with intensity and thoughtfulness. John, while always exquisite on stage, plays a role that could be cut from the play. The end may surprise you, so I won’t give it away! I will, however, urge you to see this 95-minute edgy, heated production before it closes on July 13.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 05:25:46 +0000
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