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A Question of Rigid Beliefs

The powerful character-driven drama, A Great Wilderness, is on stage at Buffalo United Artists at Compass Run Performing Arts Center. Written by Samuel D. Hunter, the play poses questions that are not only relevant to the LGBTQ community, but also to anyone raised in an atmosphere defined by rigid beliefs, as well as to the current inflexible political and social climate.

How does one navigate through life when one’s beliefs and the beliefs of loved ones and the culture in which one was raised are in opposition to one’s nature? How does one justify inflicting mental, emotional, and physical pain on a loved one whose nature is in conflict with one’s beliefs? What are the consequences of this approach? And how does being the perpetrator of such misery affect one’s own life? These questions are effectively explored by a cast of six actors. 

the Idaho Wilderness

In a remote camp in the Idaho wilderness, Walt has devoted his life to “curing” teenage boys of their homosexuality. He is a gentle man who is horrified by the extreme measures used by some conversion therapy practitioners. Reluctantly preparing to retire, as age and infirmity have taken their toll on him, he takes on one last youth. Daniel arrives and within an hour disappears into the wilderness. In the agonizing wait for word about him, as his ex-wife and her husband, and Daniel’s mother arrive, Walt’s carefully structured belief system begins to unravel, and he questions what he has always seen as the righteous path in the choices he has made.

Michael Starzynski gives a powerhouse performance as the troubled Walt. He is masterful in his depiction of Walt as his memory and moral compass begin to waver. In a great performance that exposes the soul and essence of the man, he expresses the angst, fear, and sadness of a person desperately trying to hold onto his life’s work and his relevance in a changing world.

Jonathan Beckner as Daniel, a boy who has been harassed unceasingly by his minister father for his feminine ways, portrays just the right amount of skepticism, fear, and weariness as he meets Walt and talks with him for the first time. Kerrykate Abel is Daniel’s mother, Eunice, a woman who has always done the right thing as her religion requires. Her fear and fury about her son’s disappearance washes over everyone on stage then travels up onto the back row of the theater. The face she makes when her husband phones is almost worth the price of admission on its own. 

Diane Di Bernardo plays Abby, Walt’s former wife. A strong woman, while still firm in her beliefs about the evils of homosexuality, tipples a bit to take the edge off of her anger and grief. Ms. Di Bernardo is a strong presence and well matched by Jon May as her husband Tim, who has a kinder, more conciliatory approach to life. The battles they have fought over the years are played out with a believable intensity, as are her confrontations with Walt over the camp and their shared past, and his expressions of friendship with Walt.

Rounding out the cast is Emily Yancey as Janet, the local Ranger who heads up the search for Daniel. She brings a little comic relief to the proceedings, but also expresses true concern for Daniel and Walt in a charmingly offbeat performance.

a Show with a Wallop

Direction is by Drew McCabe, his 50th production. (Cake and candles post-show on opening night). He has a sure hand keeping the production from devolving into melodrama, while allowing each actor full expression of their character. By doing this, the audience feels they know who these people are, how they tick, what challenges they face, and what the rigid belief system they share has cost each of them.

This two hour play packs a wallop and is one that you will keep talking about when you leave the theater. Kudos to everyone involved.