'night Mother is Actors' Tour de Force

If you had to name five of the greatest modern day dramatic works written for the stage in the last 50 years, Marsha Norman's 1983 'night Mother would definitely be included in that list. With a cast of two, the play opens with a daughter, Jessie, telling her Mama, that by the time morning comes, she will have killed herself. The dramatic tension increases from there and by the time the play ends, you have been taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions while falling in love with both these characters and the emotional pain that each has suffered which ultimately leads to Jessie's decision. The original Broadway production made a star out of a young Kathy Bates who played Jessie opposite Anne Pitoniak as Mama.  A 1986 film version featured Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft in two of the best performances of each of their careers.

Though this work is often revived, 'night Mother is rarely revived well. The most current incarnation, which opened last night at the Theatre Building Chicago, is the exception. Director John Hancock has cast two powerhouse actresses who take you on their journey with pinpoint accuracy. Elaine Rivkin, who is a fixture in Chicago theatre and who founded the successful Famous Door Theatre Company is daughter to Dorothy Tristan's Mama (Thelma).  Tristan, who has many film credits, has also starred starred in the national tour of Marat-DeSade and opposite Jon Voight in A Streetcar Named Desire.  

Together, these actresses know exactly what tone to take with each scene. What Hancock realizes as a director of the piece (that not many directors understand) is that just because you cast two great actors in these roles doesn't mean their relationship will translate to the audience.  Here, Rivkin and Tristan have the chemistry to make you believe that as troubled as their relationship has been, there is a deep love and respect for each other. The anger between daughter and mother is real, the laughter is real and the sadness is real. 

This is certainly not a feel-good piece of theatre. But it is theatre at its finest.

For tickets and show times, visit www.ticketmaster.com or phone the Theatre Building Chicago Box Office at (773) 327-5252.  The Theatre Building Chicago is located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

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