Review: 'Dead Ringer' at Phoenix Stage Company

Oakville, CT - Phoenix Stage Company continues their season with a strong production of the play DEAD RINGER, a film noir western written by Gino Dilorio. The production was expertly directed by John Long (THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, MACBETH, THE THREE MUSKETEERS) and Teresa Alexandru (STEEL MAGNOLIAS, JEKYLL & HYDE, OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB) made her first foray “into the dark side” as the stage manager.

The action of this dark play is set in Sunset Valley, TX in the spring of 1880. Tyrus Cole is a horse trainer who lives on a ranch with his invalid sister Mary. Because he can’t watch her during the day, Tyrus has Mary confined to a root cellar.

Dwight Foley arrives at the ranch seeking help with his horse; he and Mary fall in love and begin plotting the demise of Tyrus and their eventual escape. Their plan escalates and in the end, the three find themselves trapped in a complex web of greed and secrets.

"I wish I'd never met you. I wished I'd never seen the two of you godforsaken people in my entire life." - Dwight Foley in DEAD RINGER

The leading character of DEAD RINGER is Dwight and the role was brought to life memorably by the actor Chris Evans. Mr. Evans returns to the Phoenix Stage Company after appearing in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. I have appreciated his performances in CLIFFHANGER, REBEL YELLS, LADY PARTS, SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH, FUDDY MEARS, DEATH BY FATAL MURDER, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, WRITER’S CRAMP and more. It was a special treat for me to see this talented actor in such an important role and I hope he will return to the PSC often.

"I know things. I live below the earth with everything that's constant." - Mary in DEAD RINGER

Tori Richnavsky (STEEL MAGNOLIAS, FEMALE TRANSPORT, THE COVER OF LIFE) did an amazing job of portraying the disfigured woman in the root cellar, Mary Cole using only her voice and her hands, for the character is never seen onstage. Daniel R. Willey (THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE and a slew of other PSC credits) commanded the stage in the role of Mary’s brother Tyrus Cole.

Ed Bassett was responsible for the period costumes for the two actors that were seen on stage and they worked well for the era. Lori Poulin and Ms. Alexandru gathered the necessary props and Harold J.Pantely designed the very Western, wooden set. The suggestion of the wooden home and the door of the root cellar were chillingly authentic and the addition of sand on the ground was an inspired touch. The background of stars (that are referred to in the script) was most impressive; this was perhaps my favorite part of this altogether stellar set.

Mr. Pantely and Ed Bassett constructed this set masterpiece and Mr. Bassett, Ms. Poulin and Tim Phillips took care of the set dressing. Lighting designed by Al Hathway brought the warmth of the Western US to life and the appropriate sound effects were designed by the director. Older country music played before the show and during the intermission. Special thanks for the horse saddle go out to Hillside Equestrian Meadows.

This is a chilling, cerebral script with both verbal and stage violence. The PSC production is presented in two acts, with a fifteen minute intermission (to stretch and get some more popcorn,) which makes it a bit longer than 90 minutes. There are several four-letter words in the script and the blank gun fire sure made me jump. Don't forget to grab your popcorn at the show. It's Gluten Free, Kosher, good for you and always FREE and ENDLESS! Remaining chances to catch DEAD RINGER are October 18, 19, 25 & 26 at 8pm and October 20 at 3pm Click for tickets
Or, call the box office at: 860-417-2505

The 2020 season has been announced. It begins with The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, CLUE, CAYUGA GIRLS, ENCHANTED APRIL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, IF THE SHOE FITS, DRINKING HABITS 2, THE EIGHTH ANNUAL ONE ACT FESTIVAL and HEAD OVER HEELS, THE MUSICAL.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

Click here to read about Naugatuck/Bethwood Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis.