THE ARTS ETC
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THE MAJESTIC THEATER
presents
The Island Lily
by Danny Eaton
JANUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 12, 2012
REVIEWED BY DONNA BAILEY-THOMPSON
The World Premiere of Danny Eaton’s THE ISLAND LILY is loaded with promise. Leading off is Greg Trochlil ‘s outstanding set design – a generous chunk of the Florida Keys supporting a marina that welcomes friends and paying customers who care for one another. Costume Designer Christine Thompson knows the sandy territory: topsiders sans socks. Lighting Designer Daniel D. Rist fools us into believing sultry breezes also hold sway on West Springfield’s Elm Street.
Writer and producing director Danny Eaton offers this thumb nail description of how he sees his latest play: “...I like to think of THE ISLAND LILY as a kind of ‘snapshot’ – you know, the picture either just before or just after that postcard shot of the palm trees at sunset.”
The five cast members flesh out their roles with back stories. Likable Tom Dahl as The Kid (early 20s), eager to please, wants his own fishing boat before he’s become a seasoned young salt through intensive exposure to saltwater fishing. Junie (Alika Hope), proprietor of the marina, is a font of cautionary knowledge and tells The Kid: “There’s no glory going down with a ship.” Tig (Robert Lunde), at home with the sea and fishing; mentors The Kid. “What did you learn today?” Two marina guests, Ronnie (Josh Perlstein) a wheeler-dealer and his trophy wife BobbieAnn (Brenny Rabine) are hustlers with a conscience. She’s a savvy sexpot with a history of tweaking -- plastic surgery style. Her husband is enthralled.
During Act One, in spite of its involved exposition, it’s easy to fall in like with the characters; by Act Two, we’re old friends. We are familiar with their hopes and concerns. We want them to succeed.
And that goes double for Danny Eaton’s play. It’s within whiskers of being ready for prime time. Introducing sub-stories that jar its rhythm can be saved for another play. Moving characters around is not easy. Re-writing moments within pivotal scenes earns the playwright’s right to cite the cliche, “This hurts me more than it does you.” Given Danny Eaton’s determination to transform an old movie theater into a first-class stage for live theater, THE ISLAND LILY is in good hands; and during its metamorphosis, so are its audiences.
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The Majestic's Promo
The fishing's been okay but business has been slow for charter captain Tig Dillon, and he's in debt. And business has also been slow for Junie, Tig's girlfriend, and the owner of the Island Lily Marina where he slips his boat. A trendy new marina has opened nearby, owned by real estate developer Ronnie Rondeau and his trophy wife BobbieAnn, who are determined to become the only sharks in those waters. Then there's the Kid, a wannabe boat captain, and all he wants to do is fish. Set on the docks of the marina, The Island Lily is a warmhearted play about love, Fruit of the Loom underwear, and "landing the big one that almost got away!"
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