Accent
Preview
Messages and fun paint 'Seascape'
By Alexa Miller
For the Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.25.2009
A congressman accuses a president of lying.
Town hall meetings become vocal boxing matches.
Civil discourse seems to have flown out the window.
Maybe it's time to reflect and be thoughtful with one another.
Charlie (Roger Owen) and Nancy (Roxanne Harley) have a strange marriage encounter in "Seascape."
That's what's at the core of Edward Albee's 'Seascape,' which Beowulf Alley Theatre previews tonight.
'I want to go to the theater and see people behaving well and see people have compassion for one another,' said Michael Fenlason, director of 'Seascape.' That good behavior and compassion are marks of the play.
When an older couple, Nancy and Charlie, are picnicking on the beach and discussing life's current tribulations, it is clear that they have issues.
Charlie is worn out from a long life of hard work and wants to rest, while Nancy is full of energy and yearns for adventure. Just as their conversation takes an argumentative turn, they are visited by a strange 'sea creature' couple, Sarah and Leslie.
'Initially, the couples are afraid of one another,' said Fenlason. 'But this is soon replaced by curiosity and an unreal dialogue about different aspects of life.'
Sarah and Leslie are full of inquisitiveness about making the transition from sea to land, which provides Nancy and Charlie the opportunity to share their thoughts on art, love and life.
'When I first read this play, I was frankly fascinated by the part where humanness comes in contact with the innocent animal creatures,' said Fenlason. 'It is really a conversation between innocence and experience.'
While the heavy subject of life seems a bit overwhelming, Fenlason emphasizes that this play takes on the immense topic with a funny and theatrical air.
'Anytime sea creatures show up in the middle of the play, it's going to be a little silly,' said Fenlason. 'I wanted to do something that is positive, particularly in these troubled times.'
The two couples' dialogue is thought-provoking and encourages the mending of relationships.
'Underneath it all, there is a real compassion that the characters show toward one another, even after the initial period of fear,' said Fenlason. 'There is real warmth and real human moments where people are behaving well and nobly, all with humor and poetic elegance.'
'Seascape' provides the boost people need to handle the weight of life's troubles sitting on their shoulders.
'It's really about living in the presence of other people,' said Fenlason. 'It's awe-inspiring. It makes you want to get up out of your theater chair and go live life a little bit.'
Alexa Miller is a University of Arizona student who is apprenticing at the Star. Contact her at 573-4128 or at starapprentice@azstarnet.com."
