What would you do if you started off on an exploration through the jungle and suddenly found yourself traveling not just geographically, but through time and space? Three ladies embarked on a journey of just that nature in Flint Hill School’s production of Eric Overmyer’s “On the Verge or The Geography of Yearning” [on Saturday, Nov. 11.]
Originally produced by Center Stage in Baltimore, Md., “On the Verge” later moved to the John Houseman Theatre in New York. It is a play meant for three women, each playing one part, and one man playing eight roles. It follows the story of three 19th century prototypical women explorers, who find themselves exploring the jungle, and suddenly exploring the future. As the three women travel they continue to learn things, “by osmosis,” as they often say, about the future. In the end they must decide where they fit within the fabric of time.
Despite some difficult lines, the cast of “On the Verge” did an excellent job of presenting Eric Overmyer’s play. The three female leads — Kathy Norris as Mary Baltimore, Claire Holman as Fanny Cranberry, and Jen Green as Alexandra Cafuffle all worked well together. They seemed to mesh as a trio, which was essential to the play’s plot and themes.
Kathy Norris portrayed Mary with a superb accent and wonderful facial expressions that clearly presented a developed, likeable character. Claire Holman portrayed Fanny very excited and eccentrically. She had wonderful comedic timing and always seemed to pop in at just the right time to add a lighthearted touch. Jen Green as Alexandra showed the immaturity required of her character well. She had small bits during the show and would say a word but mean something else, which proved rather enjoyable.
Although the majority of the production focuses around the three women, there were a few key supporting roles. Collin Sibley, who played both the roles of Alphonse and Nicky, provided a good deal of comic relief both at the beginning and end of the show. Brendan O’Flaherty played three very different parts — the Yeti, Gus, and the Gorge Troll — but with each one he took it and made it distinct and memorable.
Although the set was simple, a screen was used in the background to display the names of scenes in addition to pictures, thus providing a clearer idea of where the explorers were. This added clarity to the show and helped the audience actually picture themselves in the jungle with the characters. Props like a Star Wars light saber and a laptop discovered “in the future” added a lighthearted touch.
Despite the difficult script and large vocabulary, the cast of “On the Verge” performed the show with excitement and clarity. They tackled the vocabulary but focused on the message within the show — that everyone has their niche in time, and they must keep journeying on until they find it, no matter how long it takes.