When love between two people hurts four
“There are no moments of goodness that don’t come with responsibilities,†goes one of many keen observations in “Orange Flower Water†at the Little Victory. The subject of Craig Wright’s mesmerizing play -- adultery -- is as old as drama itself, yet the raw emotional validity of its exploration feels affectingly original.
A co-presentation with Tight and Shiny Productions, “Orange Flower Water†follows the fallout from an extramarital affair in alternating monologues and duologues. Both the cheaters -- discontented David (Robert Poe) and guilt-ridden Beth (Julie Quinn) -- and their spouses -- dutiful Cathy (Ann Noble) and chauvinistic Brad (Tim Sullens) -- are less soap opera types than recognizable people, who fuel an unusually intimate narrative.
Wright’s artful way with exposition and dialogue echoes his “Six Feet Under†scripts without losing theatrical point, at times approaching Albee. Even the most graphically pitched and painfully funny exchanges read authentic and histrionic at once. Having the principals witness each other’s scenes in Greek theater manner is almost a modern cliche, but it is seldom as meaningful as it registers here.
Director Carri Sullens deftly maintains the fireworks, and she culls fearless work from an exceptional cast. As David, Poe has an understated intensity that rewardingly clashes with Quinn’s internally acute Beth. Tim Sullens gives bullying Brad an overwhelming power that devolves into pathos, while Noble’s Cathy is supremely invested, her climactic scene of forlorn sex with David utterly astounding.
Designs are suitably neutral, with a central bed and Brent Beath’s subtle lighting offering sufficient ambience. There are no easy resolutions in “Orange Flower Water,†only intermingled anger, hurt and love, which distinguishes this near-perfect miniature of marital betrayal.
*
“Orange Flower Waterâ€
Where: Little Victory Theatre, 3324 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays
Ends: April 23
Price: $20 to $28
Contact: (818) 841-5422
Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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