Theater Review: 'Mentors' by Backyard Theatre Company

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Cheshire-based Backyard Theater Ensemble is presenting a workshop of a new play by Kristen Palmer entitled “Mentors.” The first workshop performance is directed by Teresa Langston and the play is presented at the beautiful The Arts at Angeloria’s in Southington.

The workshop was produced by Evan Seide and Tina Parziale, who also acts in the play. Seide served as the technical director, with some lovely lighting design by Hilary Lang.

“Mentors” is a timely and provocative conversation exploring influential relationships fraught by status and ambition in a time of shifting norms, morality and consequences. Palmer brings expectant parents Jenna and Brian back in touch with a beloved professor only to discover that his life has been upended by an investigation into sexual misconduct.

The director notes that she appreciates the playwright’s “beautifully complex characters struggling with their attraction and repulsion of the gravity of life. This stirring and thoughtful play digs into the many kinds of desire we experience as humans with curiosity and heart.” She credits the author as her “shining north star,” and a “graceful and giving writer, collaborator and spirit.” Langston is a founding member of Theater Makers Lab, whose purpose is to strengthen the theater community across the state and to incubate new works and artists from traditionally disadvantaged populations.

The Backyard Theater Ensemble has worked hard to “create theater that is a powerful instrument asking all ensemble and audience members to confront the realities of our world.” I mention their mission because this script definitely confronts the realities of the contemporary academic world.

Perhaps because I am a former educator, the implications of a professor that is being investigated for inappropriate behavior with female students which is most likely true were hard to stomach. Intertwined with the challenging elements behind the scenes of the theatrical world, there is a lot to ponder. Thankfully, there are bits of humor to lighten the piece, along with some witty dialogue and bits of foul language.

The three members of the cast work very well together and seemingly mastered the sometimes poetic, often dramatic language in the script. Tony Palmieri plays Brian McDowns, an emerging writer considering a job in academia. Parziale portrays his wife Jenna, pregnant with their first child and already working in a more corporate version of the arts world, called “art-repreneurs.” Both are former students of theater professor David Fontaine, convincingly played by Rick Malone.

Malone is a professional stage actor with credits at Capital Classics, Ivoryton Playhouse, Playhouse on Park, and Hartford Stage. Palmieri is working with Backyard Theatre Ensemble for the first time.

It was a treat for me to see Parziale on the stage again in the role of Jenna. This is her tenth season with Backyard and sixth as the artistic director. I have seen her work as a director in “The Nether” at Hole in the Wall in 2021, and as an actor in “Extremities.” Her reactions to the proceedings, however small, were so important.

The set that was built by Backyard Theater Ensemble is perfectly suited to the requirements of the script and is very detailed. That they could fit so much of the young couple’s home into the tight space of the venue is impressive and well-worth the effort that went into it. I was also impressed with the props, especially the real food that graced the dinner table. Costumes suited the characters well.

“Mentors,” which is presented with one intermission to explore the Victorian space, continues in the intimate space at The Arts At Angeloria’s” through Aug. 26. Tickets at
angelorias.ludus.com/index.php

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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