In a
society that thrills at the mention of an Ebola outbreak or questions of
vaccinations, few subjects could feel timelier than the story of Typhoid Mary.
The infamous Irish cook became famous at the turn of the century for
unknowingly spreading Typhoid fever in the homes where she worked as a cook.
The Phoenix Theatre’s Playwright-in-Residence Tom Horan’s own “Typhoid Mary” is
currently hosting its world premiere at the theatre.
The cast
is made up of only three individuals, but each one packs a punch. Lauren
Briggeman plays the title character, Mary Mallon. She wowed audiences in last year’s
Acting Up Production of Hamlet as the female lead. Though this role is very
different, she brings the same feisty passion to the stage. Jolene Mentink Moffatt brought levity
to the production with her friendly demeanor, but there was an icy sarcastic
edge beneath the surface that I loved. As a female doctor during that time she
conveys the difficulty of her position in the male-dominated field.
The play’s
strength lies in Horan’s ability to balance humor, historical fact, and moral
dilemmas with aplomb. He threads together Mary’s religious beliefs, scientific
understanding of that time, and a larger picture of the way disease in viewed
in our culture. His whip-smart dialogue keeps the audience laughing despite the
serious subject. The show also includes a description of the actual breakdown
and effects of the disease. That inclusion was important and brought home the
seriousness of the pain and fear that people were experiencing during the
epidemic.
Don't Miss the Show
For
more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The
theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts
Ave.
Performances: The show runs until
May 24 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday
and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets: To purchase tickets,
call (317) 635-7529 or visit phoenixtheatre.org. Prices range from $27 to $33.
Photos
courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre.
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