Ugly Lies the Bone runs through Sunday, June7 at The Inspired Acting Company
As the title implies, the current production at Inspired Acting Company is neither pretty nor light-hearted. It is, however, a compelling story with a touch of humor and a lot of hope that make the difficult moments well worth watching. Written by Lindsey Farrentino, the tale of trauma and recovery is brought to life by a talented ensemble cast skillfully directed by Producing Artistic Director Jeff Thomakos.
The play, which was a New York Times Critics' Pick following its 2015 off-Broadway premiere, centers on Jess (Mycah Artis), a veteran who is returning home from a long hospitalization recovering from severe injuries sustained in an IED explosion during her third tour in Afghanistan. After multiple surgeries and numerous skin grafts, her entire body, including her face, is badly scarred, and she is in constant pain exacerbated by the slightest movement.
Back in the Florida home she shares with her sister, Kacie (Maggie Alger), Jess struggles to acclimate to her previous life when everything is so radically different. Her former boyfriend, Stevie (Quan Chambers), now married and working at a convenience store after losing his job at NASA, skipped her welcome home party and pretends not to recognize her when she shows up at his workplace. Kacie's new boyfriend, Kelvin (Camden Maccagnone), is on her last nerve and she worries her mother (Leanne Young), who has dementia, will not know her, or worse, be horrified by her appearance.
While dealing with these challenging relationships, Jess is undergoing treatment using a form of virtual reality to help decrease her pain. In these scenes, she stands in the middle of the stage wearing large goggles while the voice of an unseen researcher (Leanne Young) gives her instructions. At first, she is sullen and uncooperative, refusing to believe anything will help, especially such an unconventional technique can help. Eventually she agrees to give it a try.
When the Voice asks her to choose her own vision of a happy place, she decides on a wintry forest landscape dotted with snow-covered trees against a backdrop of mountains. While this may seem like a bleak choice, it makes sense for Jess, who grew up with constant Florida sunshine, endless rows of palm trees and sandy beaches that now trigger memories of desert combat zones. A secluded forest enveloped in snow and surrounded by mountains is unfamiliar and exotic, the perfect destination for a virtual escape.
While the therapy may seem like something from a video game or science fiction novel, Farrentino based the idea on actual modalities used to treat injured veterans for pain and PTSD. Projection and lighting design by Abbey Kuhns and Harley Miah, respectively, bring Jess' vision to life, transforming the entire back wall into a winter wonderland.
The set design by Jon Kind is basic yet effective, consisting of a living room on one side and a counter on the other side that doubles as the kitchen of the sisters' home and the convenience store where Stevie works. This simplicity allows the focus to remain on the characters and the virtual reality landscape at the heart of Jess' recovery.
Costume and makeup designer Barbie Weisserman did an impressive job replicating the skin of a badly-burned woman; Artis is virtually unrecognizable from her photo in the program.
All of the actors are outstanding in their roles, most notably Artis, whose halting movements and pain-induced grimaces depict a woman who has been damaged severely, physically and emotionally. Alger is believable as the optimistic sister who wants everyone, especially Jess, to be okay and get along with each other. While Chambers did not visit Jess in the hospital or acknowledge her return, he is so unhappy with his marriage and failed career that he is more pathetic than villainous, and his last exchange with Jess is heartbreaking. As Kacie's boyfriend, Kelvin, Maccagnone is an annoying but loveable “shlub†with a hidden heart of gold and Young, who is also the Voice, makes the most of her role as the girls' mother.
Fortunately, there is a steady scattering of humor to offset the gloom. Noting her changed appearance, Jess reminds Kacie that neither of them have kept the glowing beauty of their youth. Â
“At least I have an excuse,†she quips.
There is also an overriding message of hope that transcends the horrors of war, dementia and heartbreak. As Jess progresses through the virtual reality therapy program, her visible and invisible scars begin to fade. Her bodily and mental pain begin to lessen. She learns to move forward by letting go of the past instead of trying to recreate it. While trauma may be unavoidable, it is possible to heal. At the end of the play, Jess (and the audience) receive some valuable words of wisdom.
“You are not built to endure,†says the Voice. “You are built to recover.â€
Ugly Lies the Bone runs through Sunday, June7 at The Inspired Acting Company, 1124 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $32-$38. Ample free parking is available. For tickets or more information, visit www.InspiredActing.org or call (248) 863-9953.
