The unfortunate task of having to deal with a deceased loved one’s belongings is never an easy feat, physically or emotionally; even harder when that process leads to troubling secrets finding light. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins looks into this and so much more with his work Appropriate, which is on right now kicking off Coal Mine Theatre’s 23/24 season. Chief Engineer Ted Dykstra directs this powerful play with clear passion and vision. Incredible talent, an impressive set, and a wild story come together to create this edge-of-your-seat adventure.
Appropriate tells the haunting tale of one family’s discoveries as they deal with the belongings in their father’s plantation home in Arkansas. The more strange items they uncover, the more their views and memories of their father and their time in that house become questioned (and questionable). Meanwhile, the in-laws to this family are trying to keep some semblance of sanity amidst growing accusations and horrifying discoveries, most of the time being the only voice of reason in a sea of delusion. The ending feels uneasy, like you know these siblings and their families are not likely to see each other again, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. To me, Appropriate is like a mix of August: Osage County and “Get Out” with a dash of Blythe Spirit at the end; a perfect concoction for spooky season.
The set design for Appropriate is the most intricate and impressive I’ve seen at Coal Mine Theatre so far. Steve Lucas and Rebecca Morris pulled out all the stops for this production, creating an intricate set with several surprises along the way. What I loved about the set and lighting was that it framed the action so perfectly; there was a little frame left around the edges of the stage, and with the vibrant lighting, the action felt almost surreal. It’s brilliant how they played into this as well, with the curtain call having the actors standing like they’re taking a family portrait. Then you’ve got the ending, which I don’t want to spoil, but I will say that I was delighted, shocked, and definitely jumped a couple of times!
Deanna H Choi and Michael Wanless have created a whole world of sound for Appropriate. The play begins with an eerie soundscape which sets the mood for the entire show; this buildup of cicadas and other swamp creatures create a cacophony of the sounds of the South which become the auditory ambiance throughout the production. I thought it was brilliant that we’re exposed to the setting through sound before sight; it got my senses alert, my spine tingling and helped to establish the mysterious undertone of the show.
An essential element of any living-room drama like Appropriate is an impressive cast of talented performers and this production is no exception. The younger generation of the cast certainly deserves its props; the adults were fierce and yet the ‘teens’ certainly held their own and kept us on our toes. Mackenzie Wojcik’s Rhys is every teen boy stereotype rolled into one human, but I love that we got to see Rhys’ softer side too. Hannah Levinson’s Cassie, convinced she’s an adult at 13, is delightful and curious; Levinson’s talent clearly shining in the role. Ruari Hamman’s Ainsley is a tiny source of chaos in the play, making his moments on stage all the more memorable. The adult portion of the Lafayette family is portrayed by a powerhouse troupe of actors: Raquel Duffy helms the family as Toni. Duffy takes Toni from grieving to the edges of sanity and back with her heartbreakingly beautiful performance. Gray Powell and Amy Lee are a dynamic duo as Bo and Rachel. Powell gives Bo a lot of middle-child energy; constantly caught in the middle of everyone’s fights yet fighting battles of his own. Lee’s Rachel is one of the very few voices of reason, and I love her ferocity in this role. Andy Trithardt plays the long-lost-youngest Frank, and his emotional journey in this role is beautiful to witness. He has a certain earnestness that makes you feel deeply for him. Alison Beckwith’s River, again as a non-Lafayette, is a calm force in an otherwise whirlwind of a production. Beckwith gives River this sweetness and kindness that makes me want to befriend her immediately. This cast had me so wildly invested in the lives of their characters I could have sat there all night watching more and more drama unfold.
Appropriate is a masterclass in theatre; every element has come together to create a nail-biting drama that keeps you hooked from lights down till final curtain. It will also make you thankful for the minor amount of family drama which you may encounter this Thanksgiving weekend; I’ll certainly be giving thanks that my family is nothing like the Lafayettes! You CANNOT miss this incredible production! For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.coalminetheatre.com/appropriate
Cast photo by Dahlia Katz
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