Brilliant Traces By Laura Hitchcock It's a cold and stormy night in Alaska where the winds howl and pound a tiny cabin which is the setting for Brilliant Traces at the Lounge 2. Mar 07, 1991 Brilliant Traces is supposed to be about alienation and the difficulty of connecting with other people. The title comes from a poem by Avah Pevlor Johnson called 'Individuation': 'Let my scars.
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Brilliant Traces Summary
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Brilliant Traces
Brilliant Traces
The aesthetic value of Cindy Lou Johnson's Brilliant Tracesbrings to mind a song by Air Supply called 'Two Less Lonely People in theWorld.' There's a lyric in the song that goes, 'in my life wheneverything is wrong, something finally went right!' This production at theHollywood Playhouse shows that even though there may be something wrongwith the picture, the right players can fit the bill for the material,and even though the characters may be together, they may still be lonely justthe same.
The place is Alaska. A young woman named Rosannah (Deborah L. Sherman)braves a snowstorm in her wedding dress to arrive at the doorstep of asleeping recluse named Henry (Peter Paul DeLeo). As she shiversmercilessly, Rosannah rambles on about who she is and how she came to be, allthe while taking swigs of Henry's whiskey. During her fearless diatribe, she suddenly passes out. Henry then removes her dirty, wet clothes and proceeds to bathe her for anungodly long period of time.
A couple of days pass, and Rosannah comes to. What we then encounterare two people who are coming from different sides of the world bringingall their baggage to the table. Rosannah weaves the sordid tale of herimpending nuptials. She left her groom standing at the altar, and claimsthat she has never been grounded; she has been floating through lifewithout any foundations since childhood.
Henry's tragedy comes to light later. He became solitarilyconfined to a cabin, but is intrigued as to why Rosannah has arrived inhis domicile in the middle of a blizzard. Yet he doesn't let her go whenshe is ready to confront the hail that awaits. They argue over whoseissues are more tragic and who is willing to save the other from impendingdoom. This battle of wills runs for 90 minutes without intermissionreaching a puzzling climax.
Johnson has the basics right in line: two lost souls meet each otherfor the first time, both have troubled pasts that they are running awayfrom, yet they are willing to knock heads until they reach a compromise, Henry's overly long cleansing of Rosannah notwithstanding. But the journeyto that negotiation is where the play stumbles. The characters seem likethey'd rather open old wounds and recite powerful speeches than deal witheach other. Johnson wrote great monologues to use for workshop classes,but the dialogue to tie it all in is missing.
We welcome Deborah Sherman back to Broward County, though. Ever sinceher South Florida debut here three years ago, Sherman has become a dynamictalent who is always fascinating to watch. She continues to be a presenceto behold with every character she steps into, and Rosannah is noexception. Sherman's portrayal is quirky at times, but she also brings afire that is yearning to be quenched. Rosannah may have the deeper scars,and Sherman unloads the gamut of emotions to give Rosanna deeper meaning.
Peter Paul DeLeo has played Henry in a previous incarnation. He comesback to the role a decade later with a new sense of maturity. WhenHenry tries to tame Rosannah, DeLeo gives a moving performance. But whenHenry unleashes his own anger, DeLeo controls the stage like a woundedlion still clinging to his throne.
Director John Rodaz conspired with DeLeo on the previousincarnation and made sure he chose the right players for this newrendition. Rodaz also enlightens the actors with a ground rule: neverupstage each other. Chemistry is an important factor in two person plays, and Sherman and DeLeo makes the dance look nearly flawless.
Tyler Smith'sset is breath taking: a wooden cabin hovering over the audience like amonster. Darin Jones' lighting complements Smith's set with its darkmood while shrouds of light seeps through the panels.
Brilliant Traces is far from the adjective that is in the title,but it can be humorous and powerful at times. With the right duo, the play resonates better and the message is not lost. This will conclude theseason on June 6th at Hollywood Playhouse, 2640 Washington Street. Fortickets, please call (954) 922-0404 or www.hollywoodplayhouse.com.
HOLLYWOOD PLAYHOUSE - Brilliant Traces
Written by Cindy Lou Johnson
Starring Peter Paul DeLeo and Deborah L. Sherman
Brilliant Traces Characters
Assistant Director: Michelle Wargacki
Stage Manager: Herb Alt
Brilliant Traces Monologue
Set Design: Tyler Smith
Lighting Design: Darin Jones
Costume Design: Estela Vrancovich
Sound Design: Steve Shapiro
Directed by John Rodaz
See the current theatre season schedule for southern Florida.
Brilliant Traces Summary
-- Kevin Johnson