This Apple Is Delicious
Toronto Premiere Of Vern Thiessen's Apple A Delectable Treat
What do you get when you have a brilliantly written play, a clever directorial hand, and masterful performances?
The answer is simple: Apple, now playing at the Factory Theatre in Toronto.
The play revolves around the rocky marriage of Andy and Evelyn, played by Kevin Hanchard and Sarah Orenstein. Andy strays from the relationship, finding comfort in the arms of Samantha, a young medical student, and then disaster strikes - Evelyn is diagnosed with breast cancer, and when she goes to receive treatment, she meets Samantha, who is interning with the oncologist that Evelyn is seeing. Andy is left with a difficult decision - to leave his loveless marriage or to stay and tend to his ailing wife.
Thiessen's writing is crisp, and the play doesn't become what we could assume - a play about breast cancer. Instead, we are given a play about making choices, consequences, and standing by someone in times of struggle.
Ken Gass has directed the play with precision, clarity, and arcs the piece beautifully, through the climax and then ultimately, to it's resolution.
The cast is stellar, and they each give brilliant performances that hold us on the edge of our seats through the 90 minute running time. Kevin Hanchard turns in a masterful performance as the complex Andy, and Niki Landau is wonderful as the "other woman", but without playing it that way. She plays it for reality, rather than the ideal. The performance of Sarah Orenstein is the true highlight, though. Her emotional range runs the gamut, from angry and bitter to the pain and frustration she feels after being diagnosed. She has some tender, beautiful moments at the end of the piece that will no doubt leave you choking back tears.
The minimal set designed by Marian Wihak is clever, and is used effectively by Gass and his actors. Wayne Kelso and Wihak have also designed clever projections that illustrate some of Samantha's lecture points, but also serve as a indication of the progress of Evelyn's cancer.
This is the Toronto premiere of Apple, and it's about time. Don't miss it.
Apple
By Vern Thiessen
Directed by Ken Gass
Starring Kevin Hanchard, Niki Landau and Sarah Orenstein
Now playing until November 12th at the Factory Theatre.
For ticket and show information, click here.
***** (out of five)
