Quick Hit Theater Review: Painting Churches

John Cunningham, Kathleen Chalfant, and Kate Turnbull. Photo: Carol Rosegg

Painting Churches
By Tina Howe
Directed by Carl Forsman
Keen Company

Summary:
The first New York revival of the play.

Successful artist Mags (Kate Turnbull) returns home to help her aging parents Fanny (Kathleen Chalfant) and Gardner (John Cunningham) pack up their Boston manse in preparation for their move full time to their cottage on the cape. Mags also would like to paint her parents' portrait in the house before they leave, but the picture she sees might not be the one her parents are living. Gardner, who won the Pulitzer for his poetry, now can't always remember where his books of poetry are, thanks to increasing Alzheimer's. Fanny, growing lonelier by the day, takes some amusement in Gardner's frailties, angering her daughter who is in denial about how unhappy things have gotten in the childhood home she remembers with such happiness, but rarely visits. Why is that, her mother wonders. Howe paints a tender, thoughtful portrait of family dynamics with colors that change depending on age and perspective.

Highlights:
Very strong performances.

Lowlights:
Howe relies too often on contrived exposition to get the audience up to speed on things that have taken place in the characters' past. Even Gardner's failing memory can't disguise it.

Other information:
Painting Churches continues at the Clurman Theatre, 410 W 42nd St., NYC through April 8. For tickets call 212-239-6200.
For an interview with Howe, visit Life Upon the Sacred Stage with Retta Blaney at http://uponthesacredstage.blogspot.com/2012/03/tina-howe-still-shimmers.html.

Christians might also like to know:
-- God's name taken in vain.