The Critics Love Dispossessed
Aug 5, 2016

The world premiere production of Karen Wurl's Dispossessed returns this weekend to the West End Performing Arts Center. Critics and audiences alike praised the show when it opened last weekend:

"In a relatively brief 90 or so minutes, Atlanta playwright Karen Wurl's 'Dispossessed' covers a lot of territory. Set in 1928, it's partly a backstage comedy about a 'hardly first-rate' Yiddish theater troupe on the Lower East Side of New York, in the midst of rehearsing its production of the canonical Jewish play 'The Dybbuk,' involving the exorcism of a young bride-to-be (in a prearranged marriage) who's possessed by the spirit of her dead true love.

Life begins to imitate art for Rivka, the 'forward-thinking' actress who's playing the role, and whose parents direct, produce, co-star in and otherwise run the company. She soon finds herself in a similar situation, when her marital hand is taken from her and given away, basically part of a business deal between Rivka's 'old-country' father and a brash 'new-world' upstart who worms his way into the family. Moreover, with a similar supernatural twist, Rivka is visited (if not possessed) by her own apparition: literally Leah, her character from 'The Dybbuk' ... Alyssa Caputo makes a suitably spectral entrance as Leah.

"There's a loving dynamic between Rivka and Tsilah, her younger and presumably prettier cousin, complicated by issues of inner and outer beauty - not only as actresses competing for better roles within the company, but also as women vying for the romantic affections of the same man. Another intriguing aspect is the eventual conflict Rivka feels about crossing over from the Yiddish theater community to the bright lights of mainstream Broadway.

The ingenue Tsilah is very nicely played by Christie Vozniak. And the seasoned Kathleen McManus truly domineers as the matriarch of the family, skillfully crafting a quintessential Jewish mother without ever becoming simply the stereotype of one. In her finest scene, she recalls her own sweet courtship with Rivka's father and some painful moments from her ancestral past.

"Also in the cast: Scott Rousseau as Rivka's father ('and, more importantly, her director,' to borrow one of the play's funniest lines); Jake Krakovsky as the cad (er, eligible bachelor); and Chris Schulz as Rivka's earnest and well-intentioned other suitor ...

'Dispossessed' is most effective as a showcase for Amelia Fischer (a newcomer to me), who delivers a splendid, multilayered performance in the lead role. In another case of life imitating art, just as you might wish Rivka well on Broadway, so might you hope for the best for Fischer right here at home.

BERT OSBORNE, ATLANTA-JOURNAL CONSTITUTION

"Directed by Peter Hardy, the cast of nine players pull off a very engaging performance. This fine script is the Essential Playwriting Award co-winner for this year, and one that every member of the cast and crew can be proud of. Hopefully it will get to play to bigger houses in years to come. Bottom line is this one is a winner in many ways. "

Bob Heller, ATLANTA ART SCENE

EXPIRING AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT: use promo code FRIDAY to purchase tickets to this weekend's performances for just $15!

Visit www.EssentialTheatre.Tix.com for tickets.

Saturday, 8pm - DISPOSSESSED, by Karen Wurl

Sunday, 2pm - DISPOSSESSED, by Karen Wurl

Sunday, 7pm - WHEN THINGS ARE LOST, by Derek Dixon