"Crimes Of The Heart"

"Crimes Of The Heart" is a Pulitzer Prize winner that takes place in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. The plot is based mostly on three sisters who try to navigate societal expectations. Writer Beth Henley lays it out plainly by juxtaposing cousin Chick Boyle (Branwyn Richie) against the Magrath sisters: Lenny, Meg and Babe. 

 Lenny (Jacqui Byrne) is the most responsible of the sisters. She is the caretaker of the ailing grandfather. Byrne is mostly the anchor in this play. Her role commands the stage as she sets both the tone and the pace of this classic play. Director Eve Bianco does well having the ladies feed off one another as it was Hanley's intention when she wrote the book that the young woman break free of their oppressive pasts and that they accept one another. 

  Under a warm set (Stevie Fenstermacher), "Crimes Of The Heart" is able to unfold in the Magrath kitchen. The lemonade and the coffee flow throughout the two and a half hours. As the play unfolds, we get a sense that all is not well with each other. Babe (Violet Levinson) has just shot her abusive husband Zachery. Meg (Ana Radice-Morras) has returned home from Hollywood as a failed singer. In her youth, Meg had a reputation for being loose; she is a very selfish person and clueless to other peoples feelings.

 "Crimes Of The Heart" played at the Golden Theatre for three years on Broadway. The story is always underlying and never overbearing which gives the play its charm. Like the Broadway rendition (which I saw), this play succeeds on the acting as well as the lighting (Obid Abdurakhmanov) who hits the stage with glam lighting with the blues, cool whites and oranges in a glam lighting mode. At times the lights are too bright and blind the audience. Even so, we get the warm Southern feel regardless. The lighting is particularly deft in the night with the blues when Babe and her lawyer, Barnette (Luke Kissick) converse, and in the morning with the orange lighting.

 The level of the pecking order was largely determined by the very good costuming by Roxane Pes. Chick, the well dress proper Southern woman is a social climber. Her two outfits show us what a proper woman in Mississippi looks like. Lenny, the more practical woman is dressed as such. Pes picks up the woman's role and dresses them appropriately to their character.

This "Crimes Of The Heart" was well done and should be seen. The actors flow well with one another, the direction pays careful attention to the detail of each character. The subtlety  that was the 1981 play, the 1986 movie is kept steadfast to the underlying messages. The girl's smile when they hurt underneath. The playful banter is fun to watch and the old Southern Moor's are kept at the heart of the play even when the girls are a wreck.

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As I hit play number 800, "Crimes Of The Heart" was perfect for this milestone! It was one of my favorites throughout the years. Whenever I was interviewed and people asked me some of my favorites, "Crimes" was always mentioned as one of my favorites. I believe Mia Dillon, Jessica Lange. Mary Beth Hurt and Sharon Urlick starred in the original cast. I would play close to three years at the Golden Theatre.

This off off Broadway cast did an admirable job acting this play out. I thought the attention to the detail as well was very good. I also think that it is a perfect summer play to see... the Southern charm, the warm lighting all make it fun!

Broadway Bob Massimi, Jessica Lange, Tony Awards, Lortel, "Crimes of The Heart", Hollywood, No Bull With Raging Robert.