Ensemble cast lifts 'Circle Mirror' at George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse recently opened its 37th season with a play designed around a small town community acting class. Annie Baker’s ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ has very little to teach about acting -- but a lot to say about relationships and personal growth.

The story opens in the midst of an amateur acting exercise in which the play’s five characters lie on a hardwood floor, attempting to take turns counting to ten. Set designer R. Michael Miller’s community center rec room gives the feel of the small Vermont town where the play takes place, and its simple, unchanging design keeps the focus on the characters and their interactions.

 

Sandy Duncan triumphantly returns to George Street as Marty, the class instructor; but it’s quite clear that Marty’s qualifications to teach acting are slim. While Duncan stars as the teacher of the class, the play is a true ensemble piece as Marty and her four students undertake relatively meaningless acting exercises and prattle amongst themselves.

Joining Marty for the class are the clever and witty James (Nick Wyman), Marty’s husband who is struggling with his relationship with his adult daughter; and the recently divorced and lonely Schultz (Broadway veteran Tom Riis Farrell), who begins a short-lived relationship with the young, attractive, self-proclaimed former actress Theresa (Amanda Sykes). Theresa is a recent arrival in the area, moving to Vermont from New York in order to escape the memory of her dominating ex-boyfriend. Fifth and perhaps the most intriguing in this all star cast is Lauren (Sandie Rosa) a young, introverted teenager who seems to be the only one taking the class in search of becoming an actual actress.

Though she's originally disappointed in Marty’s constant improvisation and complete lack of scene study, Lauren probably learns and grows the most from their six week experience together. By the end of the story, the shy teen is much more expressive and open and seems to have learned wisdom beyond her years, as she and Schultz perform an improvisation scene of running into each other ten years in the future. Her eye-opening question -- “How many times is your life going to totally change and then, like, start over again?” –- is one that every adult can most likely relate to.

The title itself, ‘Circle Mirror Transformation,’ is a play on this theme. While moving to a new place, or moving on after a failed relationship may seem like the end of the world, Baker reminds us it’s also a chance at a new beginning and ultimately, transform you.

‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ runs until October 31st, with shows Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 7 PM, and 2 PM matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The play has recently won a 2010 OBIE Award as Best New Off-Broadway Play. Tickets can be purchased by calling (732) 246-7717 or through www.georgestreetplayhouse.org.