Greater Clements

Greater Clements

Lincoln Center Theater

The Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater

December 7, 2019

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Samuel D. Hunter’s new play Greater Clements is a moving and powerful story of the long-term effects of inactivity and denial.  The characters are richly developed, facing weighty challenges and life altering decisions.  Director Davis McCallum keeps the action moving in this two hour and forty minute play.  He rivets your attention and utilizes the entire theatre space to create the perfect atmosphere to draw you in.  The cast, led by Judith Ivey, all deliver flawless performances, fully bringing Mr. Hunter’s heart felt writing to life. 

Photo courtesy of Lioncoln Center Theater

The people in the small town of Clements Falls, Idaho have voted to dissolve the township.  What was once a thriving mining town will very soon not exist.  The territory will become part of the county, leaving longtime residents with a lack of identity.  Maggie (played by Judith Ivey) is closing the mine tour office and museum.  Her son Joe (played by Edmund Donovan) has recently returned to town after living on the streets in Alaska.  When Maggie’s high school sweetheart Billy (played by Ken Narasaki) passes through and stops in for a visit, she is faced with a surprising opportunity for a new beginning.  Billy’s granddaughter, Kel (played by Haley Sakamoto), is with him.  Kal carries some emotional baggage.  When combined with Joe’s past, this creates a problem.  In order to move forward, they all need to face the darkness that has been passed on through decades of silence and denial.

Judith Ivey & Edmund Donovan
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Judith Ivey is magnificent in this role.  Her character links every element of the story, and Ms. Ivey keeps the audience focused on the action.  Edmund Donovan creates a potent empathy for Joe’s character.  Each scene exposes a deeper layer of his past, and Mr. Donovan plays every layer truthfully.  He and Ms. Ivey are amazing together.  Their mother/son bond is strong and genuine.  They are the heart of the story.  There are also strong performance by Andrew Garman, Nina Hellman, Kate MacCluggage, Ken Narasaki, and Haley Sakamoto.  Together this cast creates the urgency of this small town spiraling to extinction.

Judith Ivey & Ken Narasaki
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Dane Laffrey’s set brilliantly creates the illusion of the multi-level locale.  This heightens the visceral understanding of the depth each character needs to go in order to face their truth.  The concept utilizes the audience space.  It expands the playing area and successfully pulls the audience into the center of the dramatic action.   

Samuel D. Hunter has written a play that is well worth seeing.  He makes a strong thematic statement of how denial and silence begets impotence in future generations.  It will make you questions your complacency with inactivity.  It is a significant work and an enthralling experience.  Greater Clements is playing at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E Newhouse through January 19. 

Domenick Danza