Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Digging-Eleven-April-Corthron

Full Text:

(rev "Digging Eleven" @Hartford Stage)

THEATRE REVIEW: THE HUMAN CONDITION AT HARTFORD STAGE

(with cut)

By June April

HARTFORD -- Given that one that one of the purposes of theatre is to reflect

the mores, concerns and inclinations of a society, then Digging Eleven

fulfills some of these areas provocatively and humanely.

In large measure, this play by Kia Corthron is autobiographical. "My father

worked in paper mills all his life," the playwright notes in the program, "and

unlike any other play of mine ... this play is like family to me."

What Ms Corthron explores in her work, currently at Hartford Stage, are

environmental issues, the human condition, and family relationships. All tall

orders for consideration, especially in two acts.

The facts are jolting. Homicide, the second leading cause of job-related

deaths, accounted for 15 percent of the total fatal work injuries in 1996.

According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, about 17

workers were fatally hurt every single day of that year. Of those fatalities,

84 percent died the day of their injury, 97 percent within a month.

The value of human life is chiefly what Digging Eleven is about. Exploration

of personal losses, and how pieces of life are patched together are also

examined. For added interest, a grandmother who is mentally unstable, yet

still the matriarchal figure, and a homosexual relationship are part of the

world of six characters. What binds them together are strong loyalties and a

sense of family.

There is a strong rhythmic quality to Kia Corthron's writing. Sometimes it

seems its repetitive thread is what most tightly binds the sometimes seemingly

mismatched "squares" of this play together.

Directed by the multi-talented Reggie Montgomery, the play really does not

take off until the second half. Occasionally some of the dialogue was

swallowed by some of the actors, but overall they all turned in more than

credible performances.

What this reviewer found difficult to believe was the ending, where the

grandmother is suddenly behaving normally. It just doesn't work well.

The behaviors of Man's inhumanity to Man, and disregard for the welfare of

others, are vital issues for this sensitive and committed young playwright.

Set designer Jim Youmans has created a home on the Hartford stage, and Felix

Cochren dress the characters appropriately. Unfortunately someone turned the

music on too soon in Act Two, and a few members of the audience were more

audible than others would have liked, but the show did go on without great

ado.

(Hartford Stage's box office can be reached at 860/527-5151. Tickets for

Digging Eleven, which continues through February 14, range from $16.25 to $42.

Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 pm, with a

2:30 matinee on Sunday.