By
SUE SUCHYTA
Despite the title, time is running
out to see Donald Margulies’ Tony award-nominated “Time Stands Still,” a well-written
and acted, thought-provoking production at Wayne State University’s Studio
Theatre, 4743 Cass at Hancock in the lower level of the Hilberry Theatre. One performance, 8 p.m. April 6,
remains to see the show.
Tickets
are $10 and $12, and are available through the Studio Theatre Box Office.
Mention coupon code 3CP7 and receive $2 off the price of your ticket. For more
information, call (313) 577-2972 or go to www.wsustudio.com.
Directed by Katherine Skortz, the
show focuses on Sarah, a photojournalist injured by a roadside bomb. As she recovers,
she and her boyfriend, James, try to explain to their friends, Michael and
Mandy, the reality of covering tragedies in war zones. Why photojournalists
record the events for the world, while non-journalist people might take an immediate
hands-on approach to relieve suffering, is a key discussion point for the play’s
characters.
Sydney Machesky of Shelby Township is
stellar in her performance of Sarah, a photojournalist recovering from serious
injuries caused by a roadside bomb. Not only does she consistently portray the
physical limitations connected to her recovery, she captures the short tempered
personality of someone who has undergone so much stress that they are just
barely holding on to a veneer of civility.
Sydney Machesky as Sarah. (Photo courtesy of WSU.)
Carl Ghigliazza of Southgate is very believable in his portrayal of James, her longtime boyfriend, portraying both guilt at not being overseas with her when she was injured and frustration over Sarah’s insistence on doing a job that constantly puts her in danger, which is as essential to her as oxygen.
Carl Ghigliazza of Southgate is very believable in his portrayal of James, her longtime boyfriend, portraying both guilt at not being overseas with her when she was injured and frustration over Sarah’s insistence on doing a job that constantly puts her in danger, which is as essential to her as oxygen.
Providing a lighter and entertaining
counterpart to the two main characters are Michael Fisher of Livonia as Richard,
James’ editor, and Maria Radu of Westland as Mandy, Richard’s girlfriend, a
young, perky event planner.
Radu
remarkably creates a likeable person out of her role, despite the character being
much younger and an intellectual lightweight compared to the other three
characters. Her naïve optimism and genuine “niceness” creates much of the comic
relief in the show, and she shows us how people not in the news reporting
business react to the horrors and violence of war and other human tragedies encountered
by field reporters.
Sydney Machesky (left) as Sarah and Carl Ghigliazza as James. (Photo courtesy of WSU.)
As Richard and Mandy’s relationship grows stronger over time, more cracks appear in Sarah and James’ bond, even though they try to strengthen it. Sarah’s desire to return to the field becomes stronger than James’ persuasion to stay safe stateside and start a family with him.
As Richard and Mandy’s relationship grows stronger over time, more cracks appear in Sarah and James’ bond, even though they try to strengthen it. Sarah’s desire to return to the field becomes stronger than James’ persuasion to stay safe stateside and start a family with him.
Whether
she needs adrenaline, or driven by a career more than maternal urges remains open
to the viewer’s interpretation.
“Time
Stands Still” runs for one more performance at 8 p.m. April 6, at the Studio
Theatre. For tickets or more information, call (313) 577-2972 or go to www.wsustudio.com.
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