Sunday, June 29, 2025

Lowcountry

 Lowcountry
Atlantic Theater Company
Linda Gross Theater
June 28, 2025

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company
The Atlantic Theater Company production of Lowcountry packs a powerful punch.  The two main characters carry a heavy load of secrets.  One tries to be open about them.  The other keeps them securely under wraps.  Playwright Abby Rosebrock holds back all reveals, skillfully building the suspense.  Director Jo Bonney brings the action to a stunning and unexpected climax, which bonds the two main characters in an even darker secret. 

David (played by Babak Tafti) is a sexual predator.  He is committed to an SA program in hopes of getting joint custody of his young son.  When he meets Tally (played by Jodi Balfour) through a dating site, he faces a bigger challenge than he expected.  She is extremely forward and not the least bit bothered when David comes clean about his past.  She finally reveals that they knew one another in a church youth camp.  She also researched him online.  She has a very specific purpose in getting together with him, and does not give up until she achieves it.  When his sponsor, Paul (played by Keith Kupferer), shows up for an unexpected visit, what he witnesses can ruin David’s chance of gaining custody of his son.  Tally feels threatened by Paul’s behavior, and reacts with unrestrained fury. 

Babak Tafti as David
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company
Babak Tafti portrays David as a flawed but honest character, stepping up to challenges as best he can.  He is immediately likeable, even though we hear and see him not being totally honest with his sponsor.  From the moment Tally enters, we can sense something untrustworthy and dangerous about her.  Jodi Balfour plays this with slick ease.  She is driven by a darker objective, which colors her actions and emotions with a bizarre hue.  She and Mr. Tafti create a genuine connection that rages and calms, then erupts with unbridled passion.

Jodi Balfour & Babak Tafti
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company
The character of David is on the phone for an extended conversation with Paul at the top of the show.  Even though he is not seen, Keith Kupferer does an outstanding job of creating a complete character in Paul’s voice over scene.  When he enters toward the end of the play, he is exactly as pictured, and just as overbearing.  Playwright Abby Rosebrock lays the foundation in Tally’s dialogue throughout the piece that justifies her reaction to Paul, yet it is still shocking. 

Lowcountry is playing at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater through July 13.  Ms. Rosebrock’s writing weaves our present-day political atmosphere into the action.  The perspective is sharp and emotionally engaging. 

Domenick Danza

No comments:

Post a Comment