South of Settling
Written by Emily Schwend
Directed by Adam Goldstein
Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted (map)
thru June 23 | tickets: $15-$20 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Adept cast gracefully crafts believable family drama
Steppenwolf Theatre’s Next Up 2012 and Northwestern University presents
South of Settling
Review by Catey Sullivan
In Emily Schwend’s South of Settling, a contrasting portrait of two deeply caring but very different couples emerges. So do the inevitable flares of conflict that result when long estranged family members find themselves in close proximity again. With an eye for wresting underlayers of roiling emotion from superficially innocuous conversations, director Adam Goldstein crafts a family drama rooted in situations that will resonate with anyone who has, well, a family. There may be layers of deception among the characters in South of Settling, but there is nothing but truth in the richly realized performances of the ensemble.
As one might expect, Amy and Randall’s optimistic plans don’t pan out as they’d hoped. And beneath the congenial surface of things, there’s deeply buried bad blood between Amy and Kate, who haven’t spoken for years. Randall’s job, moreover, doesn’t turn out to be the launching pad to stability that he and Amy expected. And Amy, meanwhile, has a secret that makes the stability the couple expects to arrive soon seem all the further off. With dialog so natural it truly feels as if you’re eavesdropping, the troubled family dynamic is set in place.
South of Settling is defined by its performances; the actors in this production are better than the material they’re working with. Schwend’s play is so low-key as to feel inert at times, but that stasis is overcome by a quartet of actors at the top of their respective games.
As Irwin, Kupferer turns in one of those performances that’s so authentic you forget your watching an actor at work. Brooks is similarly effective, quietly masking a deep well of grief that doesn’t become overtly apparent until late in the game. As a newlywed who suddenly finds her marriage tested by an unexpected lie, Weisner is believably outraged and overwhelmed all the while remaining in love with the man who is the source of that frustrated anger. That man is, of course, Randall, and Jeff Trainor does a credible job creating a character who is torn between a lie and the unpleasant reaction the truth is sure to elicit.
Together, the cast merges nicely as an ensemble crafting a believable family struggling to contend gracefully with difficult circumstances.
Rating: ★★★
South of Settling continues through June 23rd at Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted (map). The production runs in repertory with two other Next Up productions, so performances vary – a full schedule can be found here. Tickets are $15-$20, and are available by phone (312-335-1650) or through Steppenwolf’s website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at Steppenwolf.org. (Running time: 2 hours, includes an intermission)
Photos by Michael Brosilow
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