LOGAN – Adam Block’s black comedy The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is supposed to make us feel sorry for the five siblings who are the play’s title characters.
But it’s hard.
In a world of champagne and canapés, the five Colby sisters are the glamorous faces of New York high society. With wealth, style and desirable husbands, they appear to have it all.
But as we see the sisters arguing over shoes, dresses, money and unfaithful husbands, the word “witches” comes to mind.
Then a real crisis hits.
Directed by Michael Shipley, the play was presented as part of the staged reading program by the Theatre Arts Department at Utah State University.
The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was presented in the university’s Black Box Theatre, with no additional technical elements, leaving the audience to focus on the actors and their story.
Kaija Strong plays Willow, the sister with money problems and an unemployable husband.
Ms. Strong is aptly named and we’re going to miss her when her senior year is over. She plays a flighty character with just the right flair.
As Gemma, the domineering sister, Carrie Jackson is absolutely perfect. She plays this role as a fearsome harridan, determined to have last word.
Ms. Jackson runs roughshod over all her siblings, including the lovely India (played by Brynn Francis) and the baby “Mouse” (Katie Bauer). But she is particularly determined to force her will on Garden (Sarah Polizzotto), whose husband is a serial adulterer.
Ms. Jackson gets her wish, but it blows up in her face.
Also along for the ride is Sophie Parker, as Gemma’s much put-upon domestic.
Ms. Parker announces prior to the curtail – figurative speaking, of course – that anyone for whom suicide or course language would be emotional triggers should leave the audience.
The USU performers weren’t kidding.
One additional performance of The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will be offered tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center.