Night is a Room

Night is a Room

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

November 14, 2015

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Naomi Wallace’s new play, Night is a Room, is thought provoking and emotionally riveting.  Ms. Wallace delves deeply into every aspect of the Oedipus complex and brings her audience to a visceral understanding of the emotional needs that drive her characters to make choices that are shocking and disturbing.  They dive head first into life changing decisions from which there is no return.  Part of you screams for them to stop, while another part of you knows they cannot.

Playwright Naomi Wallace
Photo courtesy of
American Theatre Magazine

As a surprise for his fortieth birthday, Liana (played by Dagmara Dominczyk) tracks down her husband Marcus’ birth mother, Dore (played by Ann Dowd).  After a few private meetings, Dore informs Liana that Marcus (played by Bill Heck) is leaving her.  He explains GSA (Genetic Sexual Attraction) to Liana and that sexual attraction between reunited parents and children is common.  The shock and taboo of this subject is intensely explored as Ms. Wallace allows all three characters to articulate and share their feeling in order to understand it themselves.  The three actors are honest, raw, and amazing.  The scene at the end of the second act between Dore and Liana puts them face to face six years later.  The two actors (Dagmar Dominczyk and Ann Dowd) skillfully and truthfully make the most heinous events of the story their reality so that you gain empathy for both of their needs and flaws.

Director Bill Rauch makes the most of every image and nuance of Ms. Wallace’s writing.  The subtlety of a broken heel, a maple tree, and a jingle bell inside a balloon are a few small details that reappear and grow to become windows into the world of the play and the souls of the characters.  Rachel Hauck’s scenic design is also filled with overlapping and recurring images (the wooden fence, the step ladder, the plastered walls) that make you see the strength and frailty of the character’s emotions.  The subtle sound design by Leah Gelpe is powerful.  The intensity of the sound of the rain and the constant echo in the second act make you feel the emptiness the characters are experiencing.

Night is a Room is extended through December 20 at the Pershing Square Signature Center.  Ms. Wallace’s no holds barred dialogue and disturbing plot line make this a play a not-to-be-missed event.  Prepare yourself and go see it.

Ann Dowd in Night is a Room
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

On a Personal Note:  When the lights came up at the start of the first act, I recognized Ann Dowd, the actress playing Dore, from one of my favorite episodes of “Law and Order.”  I am an avid fan and have a number of favorite episodes, especially the ones with Jerry Orbach.  I was not sure if it was her until she spoke her first line.  The sound of her voice is unique and memorable.  At the end of the show I needed to sit in the lobby to collect my thoughts.  The disturbing subject matter was a lot to process.  When I got up to leave, Ms. Dowd was standing in front of me.  I shook her hand and told her how truly amazing I thought she was and that I recognized her from her TV appearances.  She introduced herself and asked, “Do you believe how the play progresses from where it begins?”  I was still relatively speechless from experiencing the play, but managed to get out a few coherent phrases.  I asked her if I could hug her.  She said, “Yes, after that (the performance), I need one too.”  That brief encounter with Ms. Dowd gave me a greater understanding of not only the complexity of play, but the level of emotional commitment required for an actor to deliver a powerful and cathartic experience for their audience.

Domenick Danza