Georgie D.

 Georgie D.
Chain Theatre
July 30, 2021 

Georgie D., now playing on the mainstage at Chain Theatre, is a poignant story of a brother and sister coming to terms with their relationship after the passing of their father.  Playwright Jessica Durdock Moreno has written a somber and emotionally driven story.  Director Rick Hamilton gathered a superb cast and captured the mood and rhythm of the writing.  

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Thomas (played by Patrick Grizzard) rushes to the hospital to meet his sister Margaret (played by Cheryl Games) after she texts him that their father suffered a stroke and is on life support.  Their relationship is strained, not having seen one another in some time and not knowing how to handle the situation.  They stumble through small talk and a few unpleasant memories.  When Patty, an elderly neighbor (played by Constance Cooper), comes to visit their father, she calls him “Georgie D.” and shares stories of his traumatized childhood.  Not only is this nickname something they never heard before, but the unpleasant facts of their father’s upbringing are news to Thomas and Margaret.  They begin to understand why their father was cold and distant while they were growing up.  

A few months later, when Thomas and Margaret meet at a local restaurant to discuss their father’s property and remaining paperwork, the waiter, Pedro (played by David Rey), shares stories of their father’s kindness toward him and his young daughter.  Again, they hear the nickname Georgie D., as Pedro describes a side of their father that Thomas and Margaret never met.  

In the final scene, when their father’s house has been sold, Margaret and Thomas admit the truth of how much they have been there for one another in all the hard times they faced growing up.  It is clear they will be able to rely on one another with more ease and certainty in the future. 

Patrick Grizzard & Cherly Games
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Cheryl Games and Patrick Grizzard are amazing together.  Their relationship is clearly established in their first moment on stage.  While the tensions between them are deeply entrenched, their bond is clear and strongly rooted.  Their demeanor softens as the needs of each of their characters emerge.  Then the walls of defense quickly rise as old wounds come to the surface.  The work these two actors put into creating this troubled brother/sister relationship is truly masterful.

Constance Copper offers well needed humor as Patty.  The humor quickly flips as her memory loss becomes evident.  David Rey delivers genuine sentimentality when his character tell the stories of Georgie D.  It is a touching and heartfelt high point.  

Georgie D. is playing at Chain Theatre, 312 W. 36^th Street, through August 15.  It is a simple production with a bare stage and a strong emotional impact.  It is an amazingly directed and skillfully crafted piece of theatre.  Be prepared to show proof of vaccination status when picking up your tickets. 

Domenick Danza