Symmetry Breaking
Written and Directed by Michael Brayndick
Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark (map)
thru Aug 26 | tickets: $15-$20 | more info
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Valiant premise becomes more melodramatic than explorative
On The Spot Theatre presents
Symmetry Breaking
Review by K.D. Hopkins
The idea of parallel planes of existence and connection to the Divine is a fascinating subject; one contemplated by great philosophers, scientist, and spiritual seekers of all stripes. Writer and director Michael Brayndick attempts to reconcile physics, spirituality, and homage to women in science in Symmetry Breaking. It feels like more than a mouthful and doesn’t go down very well.
This play follows the story of Samantha Braithwaite PhD. She is a brilliant physics professor who returns to her undergraduate university to give a keynote address and shake the money tree by being a symbol of what the university can produce. As an undergrad, she double-majored in theater and physics. Samantha is presented in three different existences. The youngest Samantha is played by Casey Brayndick. She is shown as a curious girl who wants to know the reasons behind how things work and how everything is interconnected.
College age Samantha is played by Emma Brayndick. This is an honest portrayal of a college girl who strives to excel in a predominantly male field. Brayndick interacts really well with Mario Cesar as her boyfriend Brady. Their portrayal of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is supposed to be prescient of the travails of Samantha’s character
Dr. Samantha is played by Kitty Mortland. She brings a touch of fire to a role which, given the plot and some leaden dialogue, teeters on being a character from an afterschool special. Grownup Brady is played by Daniel Ochoa, and this portrayal does not come off as the best fit for the progression of the character. The idea of parallel planes of existence doesn’t match up with how the two Brady characters are portrayed. Granted older Brady has been through the Iraq War and bears psychological scars that would change his personality, but Ochoa’s portrayal doesn’t seem to have his genesis in the younger Brady played by Cesar. Ochoa and Mortland do not have great chemistry, and their reenactment of the end of A Doll’s House is improbable and stiff. I actually cringed every time they went in for a kiss. The attempt to intertwine physics, feminism, academic intrigue, and the theater is simply untenable.
Brayndick employs a bit of illustrated physics by having all of the younger and older characters speak lines, both intermittently and simultaneously. It works at first and then is overemployed in one scene too many. A lighter touch with the directing is called for here.
The villain in Symmetry Breaking is the chair of the physics department, Dr. Paul Burleigh, played by Tony Papaleo with the proper arrogance and pomposity afforded a true villain. Brayndick’s attempt at humanizing this character falls short. Dr. Burleigh is irredeemable and all but twirling a moustache while tying the character of Samantha to a railroad track. Papaleo tries heartily to inject humor and humanity but it does not work. The same is true of the character Dr. Abigail Morrison, the ex-wife of Dr. Burleigh. Duchyll Martin Smith portrays Abagail with sophistication and sly humor, despite the play’s soap opera turn. (It is difficult to believe that Dr. Morrison has waited for years to avenge her husband’s infidelity and cruelty.)
The premise of Symmetry Breaking is valiant. I like the homage to underappreciated female contributions to science. That said, this play does not work and will not work unless the writer/director is willing to take a scissors to the script. The play clocks in at over two hours and it is more melodrama than exploration of the proposed themes. Perhaps the problem is too many themes or one too many Samantha incarnations. If this were a series of one act plays it would make more sense and give proper honor to the struggles of women in science and academia.
Rating: ★★
Symmetry Breaking continues through August 26th at Raven Theatre West Stage, 6157 N. Clark (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm. Tickets are $15-$20, and are available by phone (773-338-2177) or online through TicketTurtle.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at OnTheSpotTheatreCompany.Weebly.com. (Running time: 2 hours, which includes an intermission)
Photos by Kaily Heitz
artists
cast
Kitty Mortland (Samantha), Daniel Ochoa (Brady), Tony Papaleo (Dr. Burleigh), Duchyll Martin Smith (Dr. Morrison, Emma Brayndick (Younger Samantha), Mario Cesar (Younger Brady), Casey Brayndick (Girl Samantha)
behind the scenes
Michael Brayndick (writer, director); Rebecca Cagney (set design); Steven E. Hill (lighting); Stephen Gawrit (sound design); Deana Zehren (costumes); Alex Farrington (fight director); Kaily Heitz (photos); J.R. Pierce (tech crew)
12-0804
