In the flurry of obligatory holiday productions, Duke City Repertory Theatre’s production of “Wooden Snowflakes” stands out.
Catherine Bush’s play is distinct in the depth of its two characters, both fully realized by the actors. Eve Lawson, a dogged pharmaceutical rep played by Kate Costello, wants nothing to do with Christmas. But she’s not just an emotionless Grinch, or a bitter cynic: She has endured the death of her entire family and has every right not to get swept up in any holiday fervor.
She crashes her car into a tree on Christmas Eve and is forced to remain with the tree’s owner, Simon Whitaker, until a tow truck can reach her. The first of a series of odd coincidences, Lawson discovers Whitaker has also lost his family. But unlike Lawson, he hasn’t let his dark history darken his world view.
He’s a humble, open person who believes wholly in both Santa Claus and in the spirit of Christmas. A miscast Whitaker would have come off as crazy or woefully deluded, but Peter Diseth portrays a genuine human being with a valid and admirable viewpoint.
Diseth and Costello have an effortless chemistry that is reminiscent of their performance of Benedict and Beatrice in the Vortex’s 2010 production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” Although the play never completely abandons its penchant for humor, it probes into riskier territory. Whitaker’s innocent, affable nature disarms Lawson, who lets her guard down and opens up to him.
Lawson and Whitaker end up debating Christmas as well as heavier topics like love, fate, and God. Although this could easily have come off as some kind of after-school special veiled by a play format, the performers save the play from that fate.
Some story elements can be dismissed as pure coincidence or too hard to believe. Both Lawson and Whitaker pick up on what seems to be a miraculous connection between them. The challenge is whether or not Whitaker can convince Lawson to abandon her pessimism to take this chance at personal happiness.
“Wooden Snowflakes”
By Catherine Bush
Presented by Duke City Repertory Theatre
The Kosmos
1715 Fifth St. N.W.
Through Dec. 18
Thurs. through Sat., 8 p.m.
Sun. 2 p.m.
general admission $20
students, seniors, military $12
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