Hard Bargain’s season-ender a bang-up closing performance

Friday, Oct. 13, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo By Gary Smith Charlene, left, played by Sherry Santana, struggles with single motherhood to teens Calvin, played by Greg Smith, and Leslie Ann, played by Brooke L. Howells. Trey Thomas, one of the ‘‘voices” in Charlene’s head, sits in the background waiting for her to return to writing ‘‘erotica.” E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Actor David M. Thomas is a big Teddy bear in real life and Sherry Santana is a sweetie, but as Clyde and Charlene Dwyer, I wanted to do considerably more than kick his butt and slap her into reality.

Single mom Charlene has two teen-agers, Leslie Ann and Calvin, who find life in their small home both stifling and revealing.

Charlene claims to write erotica while managing Gyno Productions, a feminist film company. Her ex-husband Clyde, who took it upon himself to tell his daughter what he thinks her mother writes, is derisive and absent from the house after 10 years of abusive behavior.

His refusal to accept the fact that he is no longer wanted in Charlene’s life and his frequent drunken appearances prompted her to file a protection order against him.

Leslie Ann, played by a sassy Brooke L. Howells, is attractive, curious and scandalized by the fact that her mother writes pornography. She thinks the sun rises and sets with her father, a picture her mother has done nothing to disprove by protecting her from the truth.

Shy, brainy Calvin, played by Greg Smith, lives vicariously through stolen peeks at the stories on his mother’s laptop and playing peeping Tom at his sister’s bedroom window. He knows the truth about his father.

Charlene has 40 pages due her publisher in the morning and is stuck on page 26. Deadline looming, she struggles with teen angst and the need to be uninterrupted.

The voices in her head, embodied in Trey Thomas and Tameka Cruz, live out her scenes, distract her from her task and desperately try to protect her from herself.

This is an adult play, definitely a PG-17, with actions and language not suited for the ultra-sensitive or the young. It is, on the other hand, a very realistic view of life, which — when played out — is the stuff of headlines.

This is HBP’s final show of a very edgy season. Managing artistic director Suzanne Donohue has kept audiences on their toes with play selections as well as her own performances. With the birth Oct. 9 of daughter Ada Donohue, parents Brian and Suzanne will no doubt add another performer to future cast lists.

Rated PG17DTITSC.DMI.: Dark Tragic Infuriatingly Transparent Season Closer. Don’t Miss It.