Angela is charismatic, empathic, and apparently full of . . . the milk of human kindness. When she approaches Judith with an invitation to join a “Dignity Circle”, Judith doesn’t stand a chance against her powers of persuasion.
“The Dignity Circle” includes a large number of women who offer one another support, kindness, friendship, empowerment, and for some, a great deal of cash. Here’s how it works: you pay $5,000 to join. Then, as you invite others to join (and pony up) you get a cut of each new member’s initiation—$40,000 in a matter of weeks. Yes, this pyramid scheme doesn’t stand up under examination—somebody will have to be left holding the bag and swallowing the loss of $5,000, not to mention the fact that such schemes are illegal.
So, why do so many intelligent, well educated women fall for these shenanigans? They fall because a con artist like Angela is able to exploit their loneliness, their weak spots, their desire for support, and their need for friendships with other woman.
Lauren Smerkanich’s extremely well-written play goes the distance in developing several women’s characters deeply enough that we believe in them. It is easy to empathize and withhold judgement towards their gullibility.
Even more impressive, Smerkanich creates, in the character of Angela, a highly sympathetic con woman. We want to like her. In fact, she is extremely likeable. It is difficult to tell if she believes in the “Dignity Circles” or if she is fully wise to the scam. We are kept guessing until the every end.
It is a simple enough premise, developed into an excellent play by the thoroughness of the playwright’s examination of different motivations and perspectives. Adding to the plays’ overall interest are the characters of Angela’s and Judith’s husbands, Scott and Parker. Angela’s husband, Parker, is all too willing to look the other way as the money keeps rolling in. Judith’s husband, Scott, is understandably suspicious.
All the characters are sympathetic and appealing. The play challenges us to withhold judgement.
Suspense builds when one of Judith’s recruits realizes she’s been had and decides to file a police report. With potential fines and even jail time entering the picture,
how will these women and their husbands respond?
The developments are often unexpected and keep the audience on our toes.
“The Dignity Circle” is an intelligent, well-written, challenging and stage-worthy play. It is not without flaws. In particular, it is too episodic and seems to gain steam and lose it. like a train struggling to climb a hill. It gets where it needs to go, but not without some unfortunate huffing and puffing. Parts of it slip.
Director Gary Graves does an admirable job of covering up such flaws. In particular, he is a wonder at coaching and staging his actors so that the illusion of a large crowd of excited participants is fully realized, in spite of the small house and tiny cast.
The actors, too, have given it their all: Sierra Marcks is chilling as Angela, the ringleader. Rebecca Pingree keeps our sympathy as the gullible and needy Judith. Heather Kellogg Baumann and Kimberly Ridgeway are fine representatives of the crowd of women seduced by Angela’s pied pipering. As Scott and Parker (the two husbands), Adam Roy and Dov Hassan are very good.
This is playwright Lauren Smerkanich’s first full length play. It is an excellent effort. Hopefully, there will be many more plays to come!
“The Dignity Circle” plays through July 23. For further information, click here.
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Rating: **** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“The Dignity Circle,” by Lauren Smerkanich. World Premiere #71 produced by Central Works. Director: Gary Graves. Costume Designer: Tammy Berlin. Light Designer: Gary Graves. Intimacy/Fight director: David Maier. Properties Deigner: Thomas O’Brien. Operator/Sounr Designer: Gregory Scharpen.
Cast:
Angela: Sierra Marcks. Judith: Rebecca Pingree. Katie C.: Heather Kellog Baumann. Scott: Adam Roy. Parker: Dov Hassan. Heather: Kimberly Ridgeway.
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