by Lisa J. Tabet
Daily Lobo
A figure bathed in harsh light stands alone on the stage; he is about to tell you the story of his life. This begins "Nocturne," a play by Adam Rapp that opened last Wednesday, at Theatre X.
Set in a small Midwestern town, the lead character, The Son, played by Luke Higgins, tells his story, the story of the life he survived.
He lives with the fact that he killed his sister, played by Claire Carlson, in an accident, and though he survived, his father, played by Alan Hudson, almost killed him.
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The Father was the most convincing, tragic character. His harshness at the beginning of the show that transforms into frailty later made him very human, very real and appealing in a dreadful sort of way.
"We didn't get Alan [The Father] until the Thursday before our opening," Higgins said. "He really pulled through and is doing a wonderful job."
The Mother, played by Alisia Downing, was different from the other characters. Seemingly more closed and rigid, her feelings were hard to read. A torrent of emotions were hidden behind her stoic face, as though she operated in a detached mode.
This detachment helped her to cope with the loss of her family, as they each spiraled away, one by one.
"Nocturne" is a close look at death, life and guilt. The Son remembers every detail of his sister's death in the first act. He remembers her little knees and the way she asked him to marry her. He remembers her laughter, but he can't remember her face.
Higgins carries the audience through an intense barrage of feeling -- despair mixed with humor, bleakness with glimpses of a better life.
Although some have called it a one-man-show, there are four other memorable performers as well. Higgins feels that the whole crew was great to work with.
"This show wouldn't have been what it is without the wonderful actors who portrayed these characters," Higgins said.
The total beauty of the play is reflected in its unusual visual appearance on stage. Jon Stubbs, the designer for the play, did an exceptional job creating the set. Haunting piano nocturnes by Chopin waft through the black stage with white gauze-like strips hanging from the ceiling lending an almost ethereal mood at times.
The heady use of words leaves the viewer astonished but satisfied.
"The writing is so eloquent and beautiful that I wanted to do it justice," Higgins said.
At the end, I wondered if I should laugh or cry. The honesty of the writer and the talent of the cast unite for a stirring performance in "Nocturne."
Justice was unquestionably done.
"Nocturne," directed by Raphael Gallegos, will be performed at the Theatre X, Feb. 12-15, at 7:30 p.m.
