Hickorydickory.. your life clock is ticking

The premise of the well staged, well cast play Hickorydickory is that we all have an internal clock that is set to the time of our death. With that theme, it explores what that experience might be like and what might happen if people tinker with someone's ticker.  Playing at Chicago Dramatists Theatre, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., it closes on June 12.

Most people, according to resident playwright Marisa Wegrzyn's script, do not know about their time piece but others are born with it in their brain.  The latter are keenly aware of this affliction with the ever present tick tock echoing in their head... annoying enough... they also know when, where and how they will die.

Set in a local clock shop, Cari Lee (played by Joanne Dubach) is stuck for eternity at the age of seventeen because someone has "adjusted" her mortal clock. That makes  her the same age as her daughter Dale (played by Cathlyn Melvin who also plays young Kate). Yet Dale is worried about her own mortal clock. Clock-smith Jimmy (acted by Thomas Gebbia who also plays Richard) is the husband of Kate (played by Gail Rastorfer who also plays Helen) and is the father of Dale. Rowan is Dale's boyfriend (acted by Tyler Ross also plays Young Jimmy) he is caring and concerned with Dale's dilemma. Let us just say, "All the characters have issues and it's complicated."

Described as a "black comedy," Wegrzyn intertwines blood and guts events with emotional encounters and clever, funny dialogue. It gives one's brain an opportunity to scamper off and think about all sorts of "what if that were possible" scenes in your own life.

It is engaging and goes thru acts one and two quickly. But by act three...let's just say that maybe it should be shorter than close to three hours. While all five actors do a convincing job with their characters, the play would seem to benefit greatly with some editing.

Kudos to Simon Lashford for his wonderfully designed set. Congratulations to Director Russ Tutterow who celebrates his twenty-fifth production at Chicago Dramatists where their newly designed lobby is a more friendly area.

Tickets are $32. For more information call 312.633.0630 or visit their webiste.

 

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