In “Grand Horizons “Deborah Persoff delivers a brilliant performance of extraordinary nuance as a woman who values herself beyond the social roles of mother and wife. She makes Vintage’s production of Bess Wohl’s feminist comedy unmissable!
Bess Wohl’s “Grand Horizons” opens with a couple who have been married for half a century who are having dinner in their home in a community for the elderly. It’s quiet and feels like a ritual whose repetitive nature has been steeped in long-term boredom. She reads a book. He doodles. As she starts to clean up, Nancy breaks the silence with, “I think I’d like a divorce.” Bill says, “All right.”
This brief agreement is followed immediately by the explosive entry of their adult children, who are intensely committed to keeping their aging parents together.
Uncertain as to whether this is the onset of dementia or something beyond their awareness, they struggle to amend their parents’ decision.
Verl Hite delivers a hilarious, gravel-voiced performance as Nancy’s grouchy husband, Bill.
As Brian, the gay son who teaches theatre, a very funny Mark Pergola winces and squirms as his mother describes a sexual encounter with deliciously articulated, clear-headed honesty.
Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry delivers a fiery performance as their furious son, Ben.
An amiable Jonathan Underwood portrays Brian’s animated potential boyfriend.
Ben’s wife, Jess, is played with longsuffering compassion by Jennifer So. A marriage counselor who is soon to give birth, So’s character carries the voice of reason as well as a good dose of reality therapy into the mix.
At the top of Act Two, Linda Suttle sparkles in an awkward moment as Carla, one of Bill’s friends from the comedy club.
Near final curtain, as Persoff starts to re-evaluate her life with Bill, you may, like myself, internally hear Sondheim’s anthem, “Being Alive” from “Company.”
Bernie Cardell directs.
For tickets call 303-856-7830 or go online at vintagetheatre.org
