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| Ritu and her new family |
InterAct
Theatre, located at 2030 Sansom Street, is doing what it does best...tackling
interesting and always thought provoking topics. This time it is in the form of
a World Premiere, Ritu Comes Home by
playwright Peter Gil-Sheridan. The production runs through June 22. There are
multiple scenes in this two-act drama which are artfully separated by extreme blackouts
on stage, allowing actors David Bardeen, portraying Brendan, Jered McLenigan, portraying Jason and Annie
Henk, portraying their friend Yesenia to reposition themselves on the stage in
various stages of drunken stupor.
Brendan and Jason live an affluent life-style in the suburbs of Bryn
Mawr, thanks to Jason’s high-powered job. Their weekends are spent in drinking
and shopping and corresponding with the Bangladeshi child they have supported
for years by sending 80 cents a day to Bangladesh. Ritu’s sudden appearance in
their home causes an unforeseen ruckus. It is unclear, and purposely so, which
character is more surprised to see the other.
The play wrestles with several important themes, among them racism,
adoption by a gay parent, the needs of one member in a gay partnership versus
the desires of the other, and the possible outcomes of harboring an illegal
runaway. Be prepared for a surprise ending! Young actress Rebecca Khalil is
excellent as Ritu. Watch for more performances from her as she completes her studies. Annie Henk has been “work-shopping”
this piece on and off for two years and is exquisitedly believable as Yesenia. For more information or tickets,
call 215-568-9079 or visit online at www.interacttheatre.org.
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