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Does Peripitus Prove The Power Of "3's"?
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Mary DeBerry
June 8th 2007 |
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 Most of us are at least a little bit superstitious. Not you? Well, you may not carry around a rabbit's foot or four-leaf clover, but I'll bet that you don't walk under ladders, and you make an effort not to break a mirror. Why "tempt fate,” right?
One common superstition, the phenomena of 3's - things happening in 3's (good and bad) - is subject to scrutiny in Courtney Corbett's original dark comedy, "3's"—now playing at the Cambridge Y Theater at 820 Mass Ave in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The characters of the Peripitus Theater Company in the show have a lot of liquor, a boatload of quirks and their own paranoia. Oh, and a couple of dead bodies.
In the stage play "3's,” one corpse shows up immediately, and one person in the play, Lorelei, is quite happy about it. However, Carissa, Lorelei's roommate, thinks this is a tragedy that has marred the celebration of her twenty-first birthday. When another character, Jackson, shows up with a second corpse, the phenomena of the 3's looms large as a fearsome, yet ridiculously funny possibility. "3's" quirky, off-center characters cope in their own unique ways as things go from bad to worse…or is it better? I recommend you see it to find out.
The cast brings a wealth of talent to the production. "It's the best cast I've ever worked with," says playwright Corbett. Each cast member enjoys playing their character because it is largely the opposite of what they often play. "Lorelei is awful. She's horrible!" says actor Carolyn Paine, who plays Lorelei - a self-absorbed, critical "wet blanket". "It's great to have a chance to explore that character which is very different for me".
Carolyn Paine and Rusty Paine, who plays Adam Johnson in "3's", a telemarketer and volunteer candy striper, are real life siblings. Playing opposite her brother can be an advantage says Paine. "It allows you to anticipate" more acutely the other actor's actions. Both traveled all the way from Connecticut to audition, rehearse and perform in "3''s" in Cambridge. That's dedication, and the draw of a really good script.
Corbett says most of her plays are dark comedies. The idea for "3's" came to her after her husband argued too heartily against the "three" phenomena one day. Miffed, because she is convinced otherwise, she sat down and "3's" spilled out onto the pages.
Actor Nate Howe also made the trek from Connecticut to perform with the troupe as Riley Alec, animal lover and heir to the "Sticky Dot" fortune. Riley exists largely in his own dim world. That is quite different from Howe - who, along with other cast members, moves right into a travelling company of Midsummer Night's Dream after "3's" closes.
Hillary MacArthur plays Carissa - the very nice but terribly clueless birthday girl. MacArthur says she usually plays confident, strong, worldly women so "it's fun for me to play the comic foil for a change."
Emerson Stevens is the sex-obsessed Jackson Hayse. Stevens drove two hours in from Fitchburg, Massachusetts every day. Stevens has been out of the theater scene for a few years, but Corbett's script brought him back. "It's hard to keep a straight face on stage" says Stevens, "the cast is so talented and funny.”
Pat Wallace as Shady Nate and Amy Sonnastine as the good-time girl Roxie round out the cast. Oh yes, remember the doubting husband? That's Pete Corbett who also has a part in the play as Ben - Carissa's friend and Lorelei's ex-boyfriend. He and Courtney ended up sharing the directing duties since Pete was needed on stage.
Courtney is a co-founder and the Artistic Director of the Peripitus Theater Company as well as a playwright, actor and director.
The Peripitus Theater Company donates all the proceeds from their shows to a charity. This season Peripitus has chosen to support The Global Action Project. GAP is an organization committed to creating a sustainable future for those living in extreme poverty around the world, regardless of religious belief, gender, race, or ethnic background.
Peripitus has set a goal of $3000 to help The Global Action Project. You can help out and enjoy a good show by attending a performance of "3's". Shows are on July 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 & 16 at 7pm and at 2pm on July 8 and 15.
For more information about the show and for directions visit www.peripitus.4t.com.
For more information about the Global Action Project email TheGlobalActionProject@gmail.com or call 941-266-2313. |
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