When playwright Anthony Clarvoe put pen to paper (or fingers to
PC) to write
”
Ambition Facing West,
”
he was either in split personality mode or solving a Rubik’s
Cube puzzle, or both, simultaneously.
When playwright Anthony Clarvoe put pen to paper (or fingers to PC) to write “Ambition Facing West,” he was either in split personality mode or solving a Rubik’s Cube puzzle, or both, simultaneously. His play covers three generations all with the same intent and dream – to move to a better place and time to better themselves and their children. He succeeded in bringing us a thoughtful, interesting story to enjoy and perhaps, at times, criticize because of trying to cover too much space and time in one coat of reality.
The play is delicately directed by Kent Nicholson, who leads a group of fine talent through a story that jumps to the past, present and sometimes concurrently. In lesser hands this could have been a confusing mess. Nicholson created visions that were almost seamless and smooth that keeps the audience alert and thoughtful throughout the play.
There aren’t any weak players in this offering – all are sharp and comfortable with their multi-characters and deliver solid performances. Julia Brothers, Dan Hiatt, Michael Santo, Lynne Soffer, Patrick Alparone, Cole Smith and Anna Bullard make up this pristine cast which is just about flawless. They each bring a special realism to their roles that keep some of them making amazing changes of wardrobe and character in mini seconds. (The backstage wardrobe assistants should get an award.)
“Ambition Facing West” takes the characters sometimes concurrently from a Croatian village in the 1910s to a Wyoming mining town in the 1940s and a Zen garden in Japan in the 1980s. This all takes place in one set designed by Mikiko Useugi, who had tons of sand brought in and piled at the base of the stage. He uses the orchestra pit as a pond filled with water. The actors use the sand to an advantage in some scenes.
For an evening of fine acting and direction, “Ambition Facing West” will leave you a little tired from the mental and emotional calisthenics of the plot, but you will definitely be uplifted by the performance.
Camille Bounds is the Theatre and Arts Editor for Sunrise Publications.
