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Arts & Entertainment

"Whales of August" Is A Look Inside Sisterly Love And Drama

Moving production at Clague Playhouse runs through April 3.

Built in an old barn, Westlake’s Clague Playhouse’s black box theater was an ideal setting for the theater company’s production of “The Whales of August.” Playwright David Barry provides viewers an intimate look into the experience of two sisters – and several of their friends – as they face the turning of seasons, a changing world and growing older.

Director and Set Designer Ron Newell created a beautiful oceanside cottage that whisked me away to ones I’ve visited on various vacations. He made the most of the small theater, building both exterior and interior spaces and event decorating behind closed doors.

Lee Mackey as Sarah, the younger of the two sisters, struggled a bit remembering her lines during the preview performance I saw. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if it was part of her character, but it shortly became clear that she was having a tough time.

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This affected the chemistry between Mackey and Zoe Harper who played Sarah’s older sister Libby, and made scenes between Sarah and Libby seem slow and stilted.

As Sarah’s friend Tisha, Marthan M. Brown brought color to the stage with bright costumes that matched Tisha’s loud personality. Interactions between Brown and Mackey were entertaining and certainly showed of both Brown and Mackey’s talents.

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The production's two male parts, Mike Kunikis as neighborhood handyman Joshua and Lou Will as fisherman and Russian dignitary Maranov, helped lighten the mood in a show that could quickly turn gloomy.

Kunikis’s Joshua provided excellent comic relief, even making the audience jump with his loud clanging, dropped tool boxes and clumsy behavior.

As Maranov, Will captured the hearts of Sarah, Tisha and the audience while failing to break Libby's cold exterior.

However, there were several moments when the play seemed to stumbl, leaving me to wonder if I’d missed a line or the play was awkwardly scripted.

During other moments, the actors had a chance to shine. Both Mackey and Harper came to life in during Act II. Their talents were more evident during the show’s climax in the second scene.

The elegant lighting design by Lance Switzer made it easy for the audience to discern time of day as the show took place over the span of only two days.

Overall, the play held my attention and I’m confident the inconsistencies with acting will improve over the run of the production.

“The Whales of August” runs through April 3 with 8 p.m. productions Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees beginning March 20. Tickets are $12 for Thursday shows and $13 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Students and seniors can take advantage of a $1 discount. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 440-331-0403.

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