Dying City

Dying City

Second Stage Theater

Tony Kiser Theater

June 22, 2019

Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Christopher Shinn’s Dying City is enthralling.  Mr. Shinn holds back the details, building suspense and intrigue until the characters spill out the truth.  He then takes the characters to a place of understanding, both free of what was weighing them down and newly burdened by their current awareness.

Kelly (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) receives an unexpected and unwelcomed visit from Peter (played by Colin Woodell).  It is the one year anniversary of her husband Craig’s death during the Iraq War, and a visit from his identical twin brother Peter brings up memories that she has finally put to rest.  When Peter shares the emails he received from Craig while in Iraq, she is forced to face truths about her husband that she did not previously know.

Colin Woodell (as Craig) & Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Mr. Shinn masterfully structured this play going back and forth in time from July 2005 to January 2004, with the same actor playing the roles of Peter and Craig.  This allows the audience to experience Kelly’s perspective of what is happening.  It is a powerfully effective and highly engaging devise.  His dialogue is driven by conflict, uncertainty, and subtext, all coming together to deliver an impactful ending.

Colin Woodell (as Peter) & Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Colin Woodell embodies two distinct characters in Peter and Craig.  It is impeccably clear which character his is portraying the instant he enters a scene.  Mary Elizabeth Winstead slowly peels back the layers of Kelly’s pain as details are revealed.  She is mesmerizing in this role.  The chemistry between these two actors is scintillating.  Ms. Winstead creates opposing relationships with the two characters of Peter and Craig, and the energy between her and Mr. Woodell shifts dramatically from scene to scene.

Dying City is an intriguing and powerful play, exploring the effects of post-traumatic stress on family and loved ones.  The Second Stage Theater production is of high quality, skillfully directed by the playwright.  It is playing at the Tony Kiser Theater through June 30.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza