A San Diego Premiere by Lucy Prebble
I do not think there is another company with such a clear storytelling line as Onstage Playhouse with bold, thought (sometimes gasp) provoking works that mostly haven’t premiered in San Diego or the world.
Their current production, “The Effect” by British playwright Lucy Prebble, who also wrote “Enron,” produced by MOXIE some years ago, is a play set during a clinical drug trial with volunteers Connie (Kimberly Weinberger) and Tristan (Alex Chernow). Supervised by Dr. Lorna James (Nicki Barnes), the drug is being pushed by Dr. Toby Sealey (Chris Tenney). Barnes and Sealey have a history, and the playwright also takes into consideration the humanity of these physicians, good and bad, becoming more evident as the story goes on. The volunteers will be in isolation during the five-week trial with precise instructions that end up not being followed through, resulting in permanent damage.
James P. Darvas directs the piece in Patrick Mason’s design of a clinic with two hospital beds balanced by a widescreen that hosts different vivid, colorful videos and renders of the brain, the heart, medical advertisements, and so on, courtesy of Salomon Maya. Darvas’ blocking is precise, having the two couples: the volunteers and the doctors interact in their respective scenes as the play unfolds. The weeks passing during the trial are soundtracked by Jaden Guerrero’s sound, which includes an instrumental version of Madonna‘s song “Jump“, another full tune mixed with sound effects of a beating heart, among others. Brad Dubois’s costumes are straightforward, with medical attire like white robes and athleisure-type ensembles for the patients. Several props enhance the detail and frame of the production, such as pill dosages and their corresponding water, and pulse takers.
There is a fun sequence between Kimberly and Alex where Ginger Chody’s lighting marks the pace, and I would have to read the script to know if it is improvised or word-for-word, because it was collective fun, and it seemed very natural. Their stage chemistry is palpable. Weinberger has this sensibility that she imprints in her roles, and she always delivers. Chernow, in his Onstage debut, gave different layers that ranged from charm to psychosis.
Nicki and Chris have intense scenes that round out the story and the performance. Barnes has a moment with the audience that will flip the whole thing around. I will not spoil it, but some side-taking might occur…
The play is 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, and it involves a rollercoaster of feelings that will have audiences questioning, reflecting, maybe getting angry…and scared even (in a theatrical way, of course).
There is also this matter regarding trials and medical ethics. Not theatre exposing or proving a point through the art form.
I have to point out the pre-curtain speech regarding phones, Instagram, and actors, noticing that should be trademarked and distributed.
The Effect is currently playing until October 12th. Two discounted performances are coming up: Thursday, September 25, is pay what you can at the door, arriving one hour before the show, and Monday, September 29, is industry night.
The Stage Manager for this play is Jenn Peters, with Assistant Stage Manager Rhae Ferrer.
