Review: Muddy Waters Theatre Presents Powerful LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT

The Muddy Waters Theater company concludes their season devoted to playwright Eugene O'Neill with an American classic; Long Day's Journey Into Night. After you see this intense and powerful play, you'll understand why O'Neill didn't allow it to be staged during his lifetime, since it's autobiographical in nature, and would have obviously rekindled painful memories from his past. This production is especially well acted, and brings this season of O'Neill to a dramatic finish.

The action of the play covers the events that occur over a single day in August 1912 at the Connecticut summer home of the Tyrone family. It's obvious from their initial interactions that this family is beyond dysfunctional, they're a genuine mess, and the constant sniping and backbiting that takes place is evidence of their mutual disdain for one another. Addictions and debilitating illnesses are brought into the light on this occasion, and so are the pent up frustrations of these three men, James, Jamie, and Edmond, all of whom bear the telltale signs of alcohol dependence themselves.

The entire cast throws themselves into this heavy, harrowing drama with focused and assured performances, and it ratchets up the tension considerably. Robert Ashton is the commanding and flawed patriarch, who seems intent on constantly reminding his eldest son Jamie of the debt he owes him for his career in the theatre, while admonishing his youngest son for his leftist political leanings. Joshua Thomas tries to numb the pain with drink as Jamie, but it's clear that these summers in Connecticut have become a kind of hell for him as he sullenly waits for fall to arrive, and with it the beginning of the season on Broadway. Kari Ely is very good as the matriarch, Mary, her emotions veering wildly as she struggles with a habit too hard for her to break. Aaron Orion Baker brings a sense of vulnerability to his role as the sickly younger brother, Edmond, and Jennifer Theby adds considerable life to the proceedings as their servant, Cathleen.

Cameron Ulrich's direction is sharp and sensitive, fully capturing and conveying the drama that unfolds, and he's aided greatly by John Ryan's lighting design, which clarifies and frames each moment with precision. Mark Wilson contributes a smartly conceived scenic design that relies on a few key elements and a simple backdrop to produce the setting. Theresa Loeb's costumes are a good fit for the characters as well as the period, and Ryan Spearman adds moody, original music to the show, performing mournful folk-sounding material on his lap steel guitar.

Muddy Waters Theatre's production of Long Day's Journey Into Night is an exceptional night of theatre, considered by many to be O'Neill's masterwork. This production continues at the Kranzberg Arts Center through November 21, 2010.