Review: Mine (The Gift Theatre)

By Chicagotheaterbeat @chitheaterbeat

  
  
Mine 

Written by Laura Marks  
Directed by Marti Lyons
The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee (map)
thru Aug 11  |  tickets: $25-$30   |  more info
  
Check for half-price tickets 
  
  
   Read entire review
  

  

  

Gripping content, authentic acting make ‘Mine’ worth the trip

     

  

The Gift Theatre presents

  

Mine

Review by Katy Walsh 

A woman is grunting in the dark.  The lights come up to showcase Mari in labor.  She is surrounded by a man and two women coaxing her through the delivery process.  She is submerged in a rubber wading pool.  On the side of the oversized blown-up monstrosity, it says ‘birthpool in a box.‘  Already, this show seems memorably odd.

The next scene is set a couple hours later.  Without the normalcy of a hospital dictating protocols, the husband and wife are left to their own devices to figure out normal in their bedroom.  Should the baby sleep in the crib?  Or in the bed between Peter and Mari?  Should Mari breastfeed her first?  Typical questions for newbie parents. The quandaries seem sweetly simplistic.   And that’s when playwright Laura Marks unexpectedly twists the plot into a reality-based fantasy.  Postpartum depression, sleep deprivation and maternal instincts all get pondered in this captivating story about a baby’s identity.  

Under the direction of Marti Lyons, this talented ensemble meld right into these roles. The ordinary new parent uncertainty is played terrifically natural by Hillary Clemens (Mari) and Gabriel Franken (Peter).  We believe they are a couple.  We see their loving bond.  We see their increasing turmoil. Throughout the play, the maternally-driven Clemens engages in her realm of emotions. We actually experience her doubt, her hesitation, her isolation. Clemens is outstanding at garnering in empathetic response.  The bumbling Franken has his big moment in an end scene.  Franken powerfully assesses the situation with heart-wrenching firmness.  Another noteworthy performance is Cyd Blakewell (Amy). Her effervescent friendliness takes a sudden poignant and dark turn. This cast makes us believe this is all happening for real.

This play is unforgettable for its gripping content and authentic acting.  It’s promoted as a thriller, which doesn’t completely mesh with the actual pacing.  Short scenes with multiple delayed blackouts defer from it being a spine-tingler.  I was never on the edge-of-my-seat with anxiety.  Instead, I was overly concerned about potential tragedy in the lives of this nice couple.  

Still, thriller or not, Mine is riveting and worth the trek out to Gift Theatre.

  

Rating: ★★★

  

  

Mine continues through August 11th at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm.  Tickets are $25-$30, and are available by phone (773-283-7071) or online through BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at TheGiftTheatre.org.  (Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission)

Photos by Claire Demos 

     

artists

cast

Hillary Clemens (Mari), Gabriel Franken (Peter), Alexandra Main (Joan), Cyd Blakewell (Amy), Deborah Ann Smith (Mari’s mother)

behind the scenes

Marti Lyons (director), Claire Demos (photos)

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