Not often are shows so touching that they make you think for weeks and weeks and weeks afterwards. "Fix Me So I Can Stand" is one of those shows. Beautifully written by Ms. Jean Sterrett, this show captures you in the first 5 minutes of the show. And that's important. Brilliantly cast by Dina Shadwell and the Essential Theatre Company, this show was so intense and mixed laughter with shock and sadness that it had the whole audience wanting more. Patrick McColery was just so adorably slick it was unreal. Ms. Kim Salome brings charm to every character she portrays. As Miss Myrtle Jane Hogan in this show, the perfection was not a surprise. Mr. Mark Russ was very convincing as the New Jersey attorney, Buddy Watts. Mark was very intense as well and was a pleasure to watch as he defended the man, "Johnny." Spencer Stephens is another Atlanta actor that brings professionalism and charm to every character he portrays. In the 2nd act of this show, he is simply "man." But as "man" he takes on the role of "Johnny" from time to time. That was one of the problems. Not sure if it was written that way that his pronouns of "me" and "he" were intertwined so much that it lead the audience to believe that the "man" was really "Johnny" and not really "man." There were times near the end of Act 2 that it just got... if someone were following the entire time, they'd be kinda confused. We're introduced that this is "man" talking about the tale and not "Johnny" but yet, near the end, we're not real sure. Maybe this was the author's intent, but the story is - was - past tense to the actions that Mark Russ' character, Buddy Watts, explains at the very end. Or was it? Belinda was divine and her character, Ginny, was just heartbreaking for all women in the audience. She put up with a lot and the idea of seeing a doctor for his mental illness at the time "Johnny" got out was not something that was common. God bless her. All in all, the show was wonderfully written. At one time or another, anyone could close their eyes and still follow the show and well as any radio play. An intense drama in its best form.
Well done!
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As I understand after speaking with Jean, the confusion that Spencer creates as to whether or not he is playing Johnny is the playwrights intent. On otherhand, I thought it was clear that he was Johnny. I think his carrying the rifle telegraphed that fact right from the very first moment.
I preferred to see this confusion created by having Spencer's character act in "first person" but speak in "third person" relates to the spine of the play. The play takes place after Johnny is released. It is Johhny's inner monologue as he prepares to kill his wife. It suggests that being innocent and suffering the six years in jail is enough to destroy ones soul. In otherwords, Johhny had lost his soul and there was no longer an "I" left after the horrible experience he had lived.
Thanks so much for your comments. I wish I had the opportunity to see you but my plate has been so very full this past week.
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