Quick Hit Theater Review: Tribes



(L to R) Susan Pourfar, Gayle Rankin, Mare Winningham, Jeff Perry, Russell Harvard in the NY premiere of the new play "Tribes" by Nina Raine. Directed by David Cromer, the cast also includes Will Brill. Now in performance at Barrow Street Theatre. Photo: Gregory Costanzo.

Tribes
By Nine Raine
Directed by David Cromer
Barrow Street Theatre

Summary:
Billy (Russell Harvard) has never felt part of his family. His parents, Christopher and Beth (Jeff Perry and Mare Winningham) are an eccentric pair who believe Billy shouldn't be thought of as different just because he can't hear. They and their other children, Daniel (Will Brill) and Ruth (Gayle Rankin) have never learned to sign and communicate with Billy as he reads their lips. Suddenly Billy meets Sylvia (Susan Poufar) who introduces him to the deaf community and the world of sign language (the translation of which is projected on surfaces around the room). As Billy's family realizes they never have heard him in the past, Sylvia copes with the fact that her genetic hearing condition slowly is taking away her ability to hear anything in the future. The play also nicely explores other issues with which the family members struggle.

Highlights:
The ensemble is top notch.Each character is distinct, yet part of the whole in the telling of a thought-provoking, touching piece. Winningham brings a depth of character in slight motions -- a tug on her kimono, a smile -- that speak volumes. Poufar expertly changes tone and volume of voice as her character's hearing fails. David Cromer knocks another one out of the park (or at least this critic out of her seat) again. When the acting and story are this good, but you find yourself  marveling instead at the staging and the depth of vision to the overall work, you know the person directing has to be Cromer. His placement of actors in the intimate setting (designed by Scott Pask) transcends the fourth wall and at times, almost seems to defy space and time. One scene almost levitated off of the stage and appeared to be a hologram of characters and their emotions hovering on display in front of us. Simply amazing.

Lowlights:
None

Information:
Tribes plays at the Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow St., NYC, through June 3. Tickets: 212-868-4444, smarttix.com.


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