 |
| Walker (Tasi Alabastro, left) confronts Pip (Robert Sean Campbell) and Nan (Katie O'Bryon Champlin). (Scott Ragle photo) |
“Three Days of Rain” gets its title from a cryptic
entry in the journal of a deceased architect.
Presented by Dragon Theatre, Richard Greenberg’s
drama starts with three people and the discovery of the journal. It then
journeys back 35 years to reveal its origin.
In Act 1, siblings Walker (Tasi Alabastro) and Nan
(Katie O’Bryon Champlin) meet in the now-rundown apartment that their late
father had shared with his business partner.
Joining them is the late partner’s
son, Pip (Robert Sean Campbell).
Walker has just shown up after disappearing for 11
months, much to Nan’s chagrin. Now they’re planning to hear the reading of
their father’s will.
Walker, who discovered the journal, assumes they’ll
inherit their father’s wealth as well as the famed house that he and his
partner designed for their grandparents. Walker wants Nan to give or sell him
her share of the house.
Thus it comes as a huge surprise when their father
leaves the house to Pip.
In Act 2, the same actors appear as their respective
parents. Alabastro is Ned, the siblings’ father; Champlin is Lina, their
mother; and Campbell is Theo, Pip’s father and Ned’s partner.
The “three days of rain’’ allusion in the journal
proves to be pivotal in personal and professional relationships.
This production is the last directed by Dragon
founder Meredith Hagedorn, who has decided to step down from her post as
artistic director. It’s a tough challenge that she and the cast don’t always
meet.
For one thing, the characters aren’t particularly
likable most of the time, and they’re often in conflict.
Alabastro’s Walker is too hyper in Act 1, but he’s
more successful as the shy, stuttering Ned in Act 2. Campbell’s Pip and Theo
both become too angry too quickly. Champlin does well as both Nan and Lina.
Act 2 shows the accuracy and inaccuracy of
assumptions in Act 1. It also reveals inherited character traits. This is
especially true of Lina’s instability, which no doubt accounts for Walker’s
erratic behavior.
Thus the play has its appeal because of the way it
resolves personal and professional mysteries.
The apartment set, seen in both acts, is by
Nathanael Card, who also did the lighting. Period costumes are by Jess McGovern
with sound by Jonathan Covey.
Running about two hours and 20 minutes with one
intermission, “Three Days of Rain” will continue through June 17 at Dragon
Theatre, 2120 Broadway St., Redwood City.
For tickets and information, call (650) 493-2006,
Ext. 2, or visit www.dragonproductions.net.
