TheaterWorks wraps up 40th season with a chilling world premiere of "The Cannibals of McGower County"

Though TheaterWorks Hartford never left town, the company's subscription roster hasn't been performed on Pearl Street since the start of spring. Instead, artistic director Rob Ruggiero, in partnership with Jared Mezzocchi, transformed the neighborhood Governor's Foot Guard building into a surreal Big Top for "Circus Fire," (which recently won the CT Critics Circle Award for "Best Ensemble" of the year). Ruggiero next collaborated with Hartford Stage - at Hartford Stage - for the macabre musical"Sweeney Todd."

This month TheaterWorks is ending its 40th season on home turf with the world premiere of Drew Larimore's "The Cannibals of McGower County." Director Jen Wineman leaves little to the imagination in this southern gothic tragicomedy, especially when it comes to realistic wounds of the heart and the body. Be forewarned, this intensely emotional tale of hardscrabble living and sublimated family rage is best suited for mature teens (15 and older) and adults.

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Set designer Tim Mackabee has convincingly transformed the intimate theater's modified thrust stage into "The Spit Pit," an abandoned Texas BBQ joint, that has, like the two old biddies who enter out of darkness in rag-tag wear and headlamps, seen better days (costume design by Alejo Vietti). Lindalyn (Annalee Jeffries) and Viola (Constance Shulman) rummage through the Pit's salt shakers and dilapidated wall decor like pack-rats. By the time Viola marvels over an "oh so delicate wall piggy" (musing, "Isn't it amazin' what people leave behind?") this lady in a granny-square cardigan has won the audience's heart. Her cohort Lindalyn, in her worn denim jumpsuit sporting a Texaco applique? Purposefullly - not so much.

The ladies skedaddle when unexpected company arrives. Enter tall dark and handsome Blaze (Edward Hoke) a prospective investor who dreams of buying the Pit (and the whole town for that matter). He's accompanied by the gal he fancies - delicate and slightly ditzy Sarah Nell (Gus Birney), whose Mom happens to be one of the hiding excavators. Gus and Sarah playfully woo indoors, then take their infatuation and anticipation of their future together outdoors to picnic under the trees(offstage).

Lindalyn and Viola come out from hiding, Sarah Nell's mom enraged by what she has overheard about the young couple's plans. Blaze walks in on the elderly Thelma and Louise could-have beens. And it is here where, as creator Larimore warns in her program notes - the play turns "dangerous."

Larimore also explains that this world premiere was written specifically for the four-some on stage, "over a rigorous two-year development process, collaboratively fostered" by her good friend and director Wineman. Trust me, Larimore chose the word "fostered" very deliberately in her notes.

Fun fact in this ferocious production: Shulman and Birney are in actuality mother and daughter! Add to that, Shulman has returned to TheaterWorks after 30-plus years. It would be a pleasure for her - or any of the cast of "The Cannibals of McGower County - to grace the TheaterWorks stage again.

"The Cannibals of McGower Country" by Drew Larimore and directed by Jen Wineman, runs through Aug. 30 at TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (except Aug. 22 when they are at noon and 4 p.m.) and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with an added Thursday matinee Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. $33-$78. twhartford.org.