Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, N.Y.
Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Margaret E. Hall
“It’s not at the Walgreens, it’s at the Dunkin’ Donuts.”
Fiction, it would seem, is definitely stranger than truth. That is the presiding theory that Becky Nurse, of Salem, Mass., lives by and intends to prove. A descendant of Rebecca Nurse, convicted of being a witch and hanged in 1692 in Salem, Becky works as a tour guide at the Witch Museum in Salem, but she does not buy the story she is told to relate to visitors. She is sure of her facts (and so is author Sarah Ruhl), and she shares those “facts” impertinently and positively. Her ancestor was not hanged where the Walgreens is, but where the Dunkin’ now stands. And, additionally, Arthur Miller got his facts all wrong when he wrote his masterpiece, “The Crucible,” and Becky intends to prove it. She works so hard at this that she is fired from her job, which necessitates her spreading some spell stuff in the office and stealing the statue of her 17th-century namesake.
This is a seriously (and I mean seriously) funny play about how one woman can determine the fate and outcome of the truth. Becky is positive and irresolute as she makes her moves assisted by a real-life, living witch in town. She seeks the witch’s advice and aid in her quest for what she knows to be real. Gail, her youngest relative, hates that Becky used opiates, and so do the local police. For possession of drugs, for stealing the statue, for public speaking without a license, Becky ends up in jail. This is as close to an ICE raid as we get nowadays in a play. Luckily, Becky has a best friend named Bob who owns a bar in town. He is willing to come to her aid as needed. He is played by James Joseph O’Neil, and he is excellent in the role. He manages to portray empathy and sympathy at the same time, and he peppers them with a bit of good old lust. Perhaps that is because Becky is played by the sensual Brenny Campbell, who cannot help exuding sexual energy in this role as she journeys from intense, honest belief to vital, important political stands. This actress drives the play like an 18-ton truck but still manages to be funny and sexy and completely involving. It is hard to pay attention to almost anyone else in the show when she holds center stage. Fortunately, the clever director Margaret E. Hall has given her that position for over two hours.
Young Gail is played with an intense manner by Alexandra Szeto-Joe, and her erstwhile boyfriend is played by Jose Gamo. He has little enough to do, but he does it well and makes his character into someone you might like to know. She is surly, annoying, and obviously in need of consideration, which is an excellent counterpoint for Becky to play opposite.
The Witch (no first names please) is beautifully, outrageously, and comically portrayed by Kathy McCafferty, who brings a hysterical nature into the interaction between herself and Becky. When she mysteriously insinuates herself into Becky’s jail cell, the comedy takes a leap into the ridiculous, and we love watching it.
The Judge (now and in 1692) and also the jailor are played by Shayne David Cameris, who does a nice job with all three roles, making them as different as possible.
Physically, Capital Repertory Theatre has produced an excellent production, except for two stagehands in beige slacks who can always be seen moving and changing the sets. The sets have been nicely designed by Daniel Conway and well lit by Shelby Loera. Elvira Bovenzi-Blitz created the costumes that perfectly exemplify the characters’ places in the world of historic witchcraft. Katharine Horowitz has provided perfect sound, and projections have been created by Kylee Loera.
This is the most fun October presentation you will see before the trick-or-treating begins and is a perfect emotional setup for that Halloween event. See it if you can. At least weeknight tickets are available, and theRep is a perfect place to see this show.
“Becky Nurse of Salem” plays at theRep, 251 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY, through October 19. For information and tickets, visit the theater’s website.
