Simpatico

 Simpatico
Chain Theatre
June 22, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

The Chain Theatre production of Sam Shepard’s Simpatico is intriguing.  Mr. Shepard keeps the tension building throughout the play by withholding the details of the backstory.  Director David Zayas Jr. and this amazing cast illuminate every moment of that tension, keeping the audience fully engaged, leaning into the action, and waiting to see what will happen next.  The second act explodes as the action reaches its high point and the power shifts.

Vinnie (played by Brandon Hughes) called his old partner, Carter (played by Kirk Gostkowski) for a favor.  Carter immediately gets on a flight from Kentucky to California to see him.  Carter and Vinnie are indebted to one another, sharing a secret from previous business dealings.  Vinnie needs help because he was arrested for harassment.  He asks Carter to speak with Cecilia (played by Elizabeth Bays), the woman who is pressing charges.  Before he agrees to meet with her, Cater offers Vinnie any amount of money he wants in return for a set of photos and negatives.  Vinnie refuses.  When Carter meets with Cecilia, he finds out that she and Vinnie were dating.  She might have called the cops, but there are no charges pending.  Carter and Cecilia return to Vinnie’s place to find that he left town.  He flew to Kentucky to sell the set of photos and negatives to Simms (played by Pete Mattaliano).  Simms refuses the deal, and immediately calls Carter.  Carter flies into a panic, and convinces Cecilia to help him out with Simms.  While he is in Kentucky, Vinnie pays a surprise visit to Rosie, Carter’s wife (played by Christina Elise Perry).  He gives her the photos and negatives.  They are of her and Simms.  Rosie was the one who planned the blackmail deal fifteen years earlier.  The table have now turned. 

Christina Elise Perry as Rosie
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Christina Elise Perry and Brandon Hughes set Act II on fire as Rosie and Vinnie.  It is visceral.  There is
aggressive passion between them, as the backstory of their characters comes fully to light.  Rosie is fully in control, no matter what tactics Vinnie attempts.  It is a continuous cat and mouse game, and Ms. Perry never lets up. 

Elizabeth Bays has an effective scene with Pete Mattaliano in Act II.  Both their characters (Cecilia and Simms) show their vulnerable sides after doing all they can to make a deal.  There is a genuine connection between them after the two characters come clean with each other. 

Brandon Hughes & Kirk Gostkowski
Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

In the final scene, Carter is physically ill over the powerless position he finds himself in.  Vinnie shows no mercy.  Kirk Gostkowski plays this scene with unwavering conviction and physical mastery.  Brandon Hughes plays Vinnie’s new status for all it’s worth.

Simpatico is playing at Chain Theatre through June 29. 

Domenick Danza