Very different families: A drinking comedy and a druggie tragedy
'The Cocktail Hour' is acerbic and amusing; 'Sins of the Mother' is dark and engaging
Posted May 10, 2012
At Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, surprising drama emerges from “Sins of the Mother.” …
Hal Melfi seemed suitably damaged as Bobbie, the none-to-bright elder of the band, shattered in Vietnam…
Anthony Saccocio is surprisingly effective through the twists and turns of young Dougie, especially given that this is his first full-length stage appearance. He is able to project both innocence and menace over his character’s significant arc...
Ken Beider plays both weak, sleazy Frankie and then his more complex, nuanced twin, Phillie. Beider claims an eight year absence from the stage, which is in no way apparent from his luscious embrace of two very different characters.
Jim Ambrosek is also effective as Dubbah, providing emotional context for the unspeakable sins, past and present. Director Vince Flynn starts the gritty story slow, punctuated by sudden outbursts during the discovery phase. He builds on that with a smoldering tone during Acts II and III to heighten the sense of malevolence, so that the subsequent retributions are a plausible extension of the first act’s violence.
Ken Beider, Anthony Saccocio, Hal Melfi and Jim Ambrosek in 'Sins of the Mother.'
Tristyn Tucci/Beowulf Alley
