Theater Review: 'Native Gardens' at Westport Country Playhouse

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Westport Country Playhouse is presenting a fine production of Karen Zacarías’ play “Native Gardens.” Joann M. Hunter, a Japanese American woman who has over 30 credits on Broadway, directs the Equity cast.

“Native Gardens” was a commission for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and was first produced there. Artistic Director Mark Shanahan shared with the audience that the playwright had traveled to Westport to see a performance in order to be part of the history of the Playhouse.

In “Native Gardens,” Pablo is a high-powered lawyer who is married to Tania. The young couple realizes the American dream when they purchase a house in an established Washington, D.C. neighborhood. The fixer upper is next door to long-time denizens, Virginia and Frank Butley. An ensuing disagreement over a long-standing fence line escalates into a battle of class, privilege, entitlement and taste in garden plants.

An interesting added theme is whether gardeners should include plants that are not “native” to the area, or instead be mindful of the environment and plant a “native garden.” Tania defends the latter, while Frank takes a more traditional path with the second-prize-winning garden in his yard.

Zacarías’ story has many funny moments as it explores the hot-button issues of race relations and privilege. Sections of the script have the characters addressing the audience directly, including the epilogue that almost too neatly tells what happens next.

Paula Leggett Chase takes on the role of Virginia, half of the older (but not elderly) couple. The Equity actor is a 2020 Drama Desk Featured Actress nominee and played Baroness Elberfeld and a nun in “The Sound of Music, Live.”

Equity actor Adam Heller (“Some Like it Hot”) plays Virginia’s husband Frank and does well. Heller’s credits include “The Flamingo Kid” at Hartford Stage, as well as “Fiddler on the Roof” at Goodspeed, for which he won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.

Anthony Michael Martinez makes his Playhouse debut in the role of Pablo Del Valle, the young lawyer. Martinez is a New York City-based actor and teaching artist. I took issue with Martinez’s pronunciation of some of his lines in Spanish. Since his character is from Chile, I would have expected his Spanish when speaking to his wife to be authentic, but this may have been a deliberate direction to suggest the character was Americanized.

Linedy Genau, a proud native of Hamden, CT, also makes her debut at the Playhouse. Genau gives a flawless performance as Tania, the (very pregnant) Latina who is preparing to defend her doctoral dissertation.

Extra (non-Equity) performers who play fence builders include Horacio “Joe” Cardozo and Brianna Parkin.

Audiences can appreciate the set design by Anna Louizos as soon as they enter the theater, both for its floral beauty and the detailed depiction of the homes of the two couples. Patrons can’t help but feel as if they are back fence neighbors watching the action in real time. Shanahan encouraged the audience to photograph the set for sharing on social media.

Costumes designed by David C. Woolard enhance the characterization of the couples from two generations, which look great with the lighting designed by Charlie Morrison. Sound design by John Gromada includes a classic tune by the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. Kudos to Anna Dorodnykh who supervised the variety of props required.

“Native Gardens” continues to bloom at Westport Country Playhouse through March 8. The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission, and the Playhouse recommends the play for ages 12 and up. Tickets at tickets.westportplayhouse.org.