Theater Review: "The Agitators" at Playhouse on Park

WEST HARTFORD - “The Agitators: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass” is a two-person play written by Mat Smart. It runs at Playhouse on Park through June 12. This production is part of Playhouse on Park's 13th Main Stage Season, and is directed by Kelly O'Donnell, a theatre and film director based in New York City who believes that theater can be a powerful tool for fostering peace.

“The Agitators” tells a story of the enduring yet tempestuous friendship of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. During the Civil War Era, the two were great allies, but at times they were great adversaries.

The young abolitionists met in Rochester in the 1840s, full of hopes, dreams, and a common purpose. As they grew to become cultural icons, their respective movements collided and their friendship was severely tested.

The well-written play is the story of that forty-five-year friendship. We watch as the two agitate the nation, they agitate each other, and, in doing so, they help shape the Constitution and the course of American history.

The director points out that the play explores the lives of Douglass and Anthony, “not only as activists, but as complex and flawed human beings living in the mess of life during one of the most tumultuous times in history.” She adds that many of the injustices to which the two dedicated their lives to fighting have managed to linger to the present day.

What makes this piece so effective is that both characters are explored at the human level. The two actors do an incredible job of bringing them to life as they vehemently disagree about identity, politics and the nature of activism, without ever losing their platonic love and admiration for each other. The impassioned arguments are authentic and fascinating to watch.

Gabriel Lawrence, an Equity member, makes his Playhouse on Park debut in the role of Frederick Douglass. The actor, educator and filmmaker with a great speaking voice is so effective in the role that we often forget that he is, in fact, acting. Both characters have a great deal of monologues to deliver, in addition to many touching dialogues.

Equity actress Sam Rosentrater is just as strong in her debut at this theater in the role of Susan B. Anthony. On television, she has been seen on “Orange is the New Black.” Rosentrater is very well-suited for the role, performed without a wig. The actress brings the strong spirit of one of the most visible leaders of the women’s suffrage movement to vivid life. Perhaps her most memorable scene is Anthony’s visit to Douglass’ grave, in which she delivers a heartfelt monologue to his spirit.

I learned that Anthony was raised as a Quaker, spent several years as a teacher, and that she died in 1906, 14 years before women were given the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment. The script reminds us that even in the second act, a black man was not able to touch a white person at a public baseball game without repercussions.

The scenic design by Randall Parsons is simply beautiful, full of rich wood tones, one door, backlit panels and a limited number of moving parts used to suggest a new space that are easily moved into place by the two actors. Sound design by Jeffrey Salerno is simple yet very effective.

Lighting by Johann Fitzpatrick helped move the scenes along. Costumes designed by Vilinda McGregor (“The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog”) are true to the time period, with one change for each character.

The current Playhouse on Park COVID-19 policy is that vaccination card checks and masks are not required. However, masks are strongly recommended.

“The Agitators” is presented with one intermission and runs 2 hours, 20 minutes. Tickets range from $40-$50 with Student and Senior discounts available. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information or tickets, call the Box Office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Rd. in West Hartford.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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