{"id":15099,"date":"2014-11-07T09:33:30","date_gmt":"2014-11-07T17:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=15099"},"modified":"2014-11-07T14:26:38","modified_gmt":"2014-11-07T22:26:38","slug":"an-intriguing-yet-disconcerting-testament-at-a-c-t","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/an-intriguing-yet-disconcerting-testament-at-a-c-t\/","title":{"rendered":"An intriguing yet disconcerting TESTAMENT at A.C.T."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seana McKenna in A.C.T’s Testament.<\/p><\/div>\n

TESTAMENT<\/em>: Solo Drama play by Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn. Directed by Carey Perloff. Starring Seana McKenna. American Conservatory Theater (ACT), 415 Geary St., San Francisco, CA. (415) 749-2228 or www.act-sf.org<\/a>. October 23 \u2013 November 17, 2013.<\/strong><\/p>\n

An intriguing yet disconcerting TESTAMENT<\/em> at A.C.T. [Rating:3]<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many versions of the circumstances revolving around the crucifixion of Jesus and separating fact from fancy becomes disturbing if one wishes to search for the truth. The \u2018truth\u2019 of one tale conflicts with the \u2018truth\u2019 of many others and is influenced (if truth can influenced) by one\u2019s religious or non-religious beliefs. In 2011 multitalented Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn (novelist, journalist and playwright) wrote a novella \u201cThe Testament of Mary\u201d that was converted into a one woman show presented in Dublin in 2011. A longer version of the play was presented on Broadway in 2013 and collaboratively reworked for this A.C.T. production.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the story teller is never named there is no doubt it is Mary mother of Jesus.\u00a0 She is reiterating her \u2018story\u2019 about the details and meaning of the crucifixion while being influenced by zealots who wish her to relate the details in a manner that would further their aspirations. (\u201cWitnesses will be needed.\u201d) From this starting point the story is told by a grieving mother whose son, she cannot says his name, has died a horrible death and she plaintively asks how long does it take to die after crucifixion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u2018facts\u2019 surrounding the life of Jesus beginning with his \u2018unruly\u2019 followers, the miracle of restoring health to a cripple, the converting water to wine and the resurrection of Lazarus are interwoven into the narrative that is descriptive of the mores of the time. As written by T\u00f3ib\u00edn Mary\u2019s story is one of self-preservation to avoid \u2018the strangler.\u201d The incredulity in Seana McKenna\u2019s voice with the questioning words \u201cSon of God\u201d and \u201cKing of the Jews\u201d certainly will raise the hackles of devout Christians.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagery abounds throughout the 80 minutes of the play and McKenna\u2019s delivery is a marvel but did not keep a seat mate sufficiently alert to stay awake. The ending is confusing when the ancient Roman god Artemis of Ephesus, is evoked before the lights go out on the nondescript set surrounded by shards of glass. Running time 80 minutes without intermission.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kedar K. Adour, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TESTAMENT: Solo Drama play by Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn. Directed by Carey Perloff. Starring Seana McKenna. American Conservatory Theater (ACT), 415 Geary St., San Francisco, CA. (415) 749-2228 or www.act-sf.org. October 23…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15099","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-kedar-k-adour"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"