Manbites Dog Theater brings Joel Drake Johnson's new play Fall to Earth from downtown Chicago to downtown Durham. In its new location, the play is directed by Jeff Storer, artistic director at Manbites and Duke associate professor of Theater Studies.
Fall to Earth tells the story of an estranged mother and daughter played by Marcia Edmundson and Dana Marks, respectively. After being forced to reunite because of a mysterious death, the two women must face their past with the help of a police officer played by Cheryl Chamblee. The fast-paced, 90- minute play is composed of three scenes during which the story unfolds as each clue is revealed.
Storer found his cast nine months ago-giving the actors time to brew over the well-crafted play-even though intensive rehearsals began about a month before the play opened last week. "We were able to find a whole new depth to the play and our characters," actor Dana Marks said. "This kind of wonderful work is something you rarely get with directors."
Once rehersals officially began, Storer established the framework of the play and then began fine-tuning the scenes moment by moment.
The director said he is lucky to be working with three very experienced actors. Fall to Earth veers off into dark places, and Marks confirmed the actors' willingness to explore the play's more serious elements.
Despite its dark side, this particular production integrates a great sense of humor and familial warmth, keeping the play in the realm of reality. "What good theater does is allow us to look into the privacy of people's lives," Storer said. "It becomes a cathartic experience for the audience as well as the actors, because we must take responsibility for the secrets we all bear."
Fall to Earth runs through April 2 at Manbites Dog Theater at 703 Foster Street in Durham.
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