Saturday, June 7, 2014

Ritu Comes Home

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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