Life Is a Stalemate in 'Art of Sacrifice'

"The Art of Sacrifice"

Written by Anthony Clarvoe; directed by Charles Towers; scenic design by David Evans Morris; costume design by Jane Alois Stein; lighting design by Juliet Chia

Cast in Order of Appearance

Will, Nesbitt Blaisdell

Aron, Jeremiah Wiggins

Performances: Now through December 4

Box Office: 978-454-3926 or www.merrimackrep.org

Battle lines are drawn early on in the Merrimack Repertory Theatre's world premiere of Anthony Clarvoe's chess-based two-person clash of wits, "The Art of Sacrifice." Even before Will and Aron, father and son antagonists, encounter one another in the family's living room/trophy room, they are plotting and planning their emotional attacks and counterattacks.

The thirty something Aron, a former child prodigy chess master who became the U.S. Champion at the age of 17, has returned home on the eve of a major tournament in response to a call his brother has made concerning their father's health. With the trophy from his newly regained U.S. title firmly in hand, he hopes to lift his father's spirits while also earning some long-overdue respect. Will, meanwhile, baits his son from the moment he crosses the threshold. Cantankerous, pajama clad, and appearing a bit muddled, he criticizes everything from Aron's clothing to his eating habits to his game preparation to his marginal status as a world-class player.

Much is on the line for Aron with this visit – both professionally and personally. In the morning he will be defending his title against the United States' newest wunderkind – a thirteen-year-old immigrant from Uzbekistan. Tonight he must prepare himself for what promises to be a very challenging match by somehow breaking the emotional stalemate he has always had with his overbearing father.

And so the games begin. Each man seems to have an agenda for choosing this night to spark a confrontation, but neither is willing to reveal his strategy or ultimate purpose. They attack and defend, distract and destroy. Will accuses Aron of only coming to visit because he needs help with his game. Aron protests that he has come to make sure that his father doesn't starve himself to death. As the night wears on, they escalate their taunts and accusations, each seemingly willing to risk whatever is left of their codependent relationship all for the sake of beating the other at his own game. What emerges, however, is a curiously cathartic revelation of past secrets and guilt that results in an even stronger symbiotic bond than these two highly obsessive and brilliant men had before.

As Will and Aron, Nesbitt Blaisdell and Jeremiah Wiggins are worthy adversaries. They revel in the mental gymnastics of playing life as if it were a game of chess, and they turn what could have been an introverted cerebral exercise into a taut and touching emotional roller coaster.

Blaisdell, still on book because he was a last minute cast replacement, nevertheless dominates from his well-worn upholstered rocking chair. Whether tossing a crassly comic barb at Aron or hitting him squarely between the eyes with brutal truths, Blaisdell is a nagging force.

Wiggins starts out as a more contained combatant, a dutiful son who still longs for parental acceptance despite years of being battered by criticism. Once he changes from his suit to jeans and a T-shirt and gets down to business at the chessboard, however, he is suddenly in command. Wiggins' Aron is now passionate and confident in his play and in his gambit. He practically gloats when his father can't decipher his perfect sacrifice – a series of moves that will leave nothing on the board except what is essential for him to be the victor.

"The Art of Sacrifice" is an interesting mind bender that examines the love-hate relationship that a father and son have with each other and with the war game that defines them. As staged by the Merrimack Rep's producing artistic director Charles Towers, it is also proof that the thrill is in the contest, not the conclusion.