Ashes & Ink

 Ashes & Ink
AMT Theater
October 18, 2024 

Photo courtesy of AMT Theater

Ashes & Ink is an emotionally charged piece of theatre.  Playwright Martha Pichey presents well-developed characters facing the challenges of loss, grief, and addiction.  The relationships are truthful and clear.  Her dialogue is rich and honest.  There are a few very poignant, well-written monologues, revealing the inner turmoil of the main characters.  Director Alice Jankell keeps this excellent cast connected and focused on the action, while sustaining a smooth pace.

Molly (played by Kathryn Erbe) is surprised when her son, Quinn (played by Julian Shatkin), arrives home unannounced.  He left rehab without telling anyone.  He is preparing for an important audition for acting school, and cannot concentrate at the rehab center.  Molly allows him to stay, and helps with his monologues.  The next day they visit Molly’s boyfriend, Leo (played by Javier Molina), and his young son, Felix (played by Rhylee Watson).  Quinn takes Molly’s car and disappears without saying a word, leaving her frantic.  When he returns, he spends time teaching Felix to ride his bicycle.  They are very fond of one another, linked by loss.  Felix longs for his mother, who died of cancer when he was a baby.  Quinn misses his father, who passed away from a seizure a few years earlier.  Leo wants to take his relationship with Molly to the next level.  He suggests a romantic weekend, but she keeps putting him off.  She is overwhelmed with Quinn’s behavior, the transition of her business, and the failing health of her sister, Bree (played by Tamara Flannigan).  She risks losing Leo.  She first must come to terms with her son’s addiction and his inability to take responsibility for himself. 

Julian Shatkin & Kathryn Erbe
Photo courtesy of AMT Theater

Kathryn Erbe is wonderful as Molly.  She skillfully links into a deep and genuine level of emotion for this character.  She and Javier Molina (Leo) have wonderful chemistry.  They tenderly reach for one another, and almost get what they want.  Pain and apprehension overwhelm Molly.  Ms. Erbe plays these moments beautifully.  Mr. Molina delivers a touching portrayal of this patient and caring character.  It is heartbreaking when he realizes the truth of the situation. 

Julian Shatkin plays every tactic in delivering a truthful performance of Quinn’s addiction.  He is likeable, sympathetic, and, at times, untrustworthy.  His charm wins Molly over, then his behavior reveals his true colors.  He ends up pushing her further than she can handle.  Mr. Shatkin creates a strong and truthful relationship with Rhylee Watson (Felix).  They create honest and caring moments together.  

Ashes & Ink is playing at AMT Theater through November 3. 

Domenick Danza

The Father

The Father

Manhattan Theatre Club

The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

March 25, 2016

Photo courtesy of Manhttan Theatre Club

The Father is a powerful piece of theatre presently in previews at the Manhattan Theatre Club.  This is not to be confused with the well-known August Strindberg classic.  This play is a new translation by Christopher Hampton of the Moliere Award winning play (France’s most prestigious honor for a new work of theatre) by Florian Zeller.  Directed by Doug Hughes and starring Frank Langella, this play chronicles the perceptions and tragic crumbling of a man as he enters into the final chapter of a once productive life.

The play opens with Anne (played by Kathryn Erbe) talking with her eighty year old father, Andre (played by Frank Langella) about a fight he had with his caregiver.  It is evident by the tone of the discussion that he gets disoriented and is prone to outbursts.  His confusion is understood as a different actor (Kathleen McNenny) plays Anne in the next scene and the dialogue contradicts the facts set up in the first scene.  When Kathryn Erbe returns as Anne in scene three, it becomes clear that the play is going to unfold from Andre’s perplexed point of view.  His memory lapses and bewilderment make total sense when scenes play out with opposing information, flashing lights, different actors playing the same roles, and furniture disappearing.

Frank Langella & Kathryn Erbe
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Frank Langella is brilliant!  The strength of his presence and stature makes you believe him when he says he does not need anyone to help him.  His character is charming and gregarious.  He skillfully transitions from vigor into helplessness.  Watching him weaken as scenes progress is moving and tragic.  You can feel how lost he is in his own mind.  The relationship created between him and Ms. Erbe is tender and real.  They deeply rely on one another.  Doug Hughes direction brought them to the place where they boldly deliver honest and grounded performances.  Charles Borland, Kathleen McNenny, Hannah Cabell, and Brian Avers also deliver strong performances.

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

This performance by Frank Langella is not to be missed.  The script is captivating and uniquely structured.  The Father opens on April 14 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and runs through June 12.

Domenick Danza