Duty, Desire, and Family Dispute: "Walden" at ArtsWest
Review of Walden at ArtsWest
Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer DASH MONTAGUE
Edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member MILO MILLER
How do we take care of our world if we know its future is sealed? ArtsWest’s timely and poignant production of Walden by Amy Berryman asks nuanced questions such as this within a relatable and smartly-crafted family dynamic.
In an ecologically desperate future, Walden follows ex-scientist Stella (Porscha Shaw) and her crunchy fiancé, Bryan (Josh Kenji Langager), at their forested cabin, when Stella’s astronaut twin sister Cassie (Marena Kleinpeter) returns from a prominent space habitation mission. Old tensions flare up and spark between sisters, and both must decide how to reconcile the past and deal with the future. Relatable questions are asked within the story: can we love people with different political views? What is our duty to society? The play puts it forth to the audience to answer those questions. Walden achieves what most great plays do; it leaves you thinking and wanting more.
The play’s set is a cabin made of two wooden platforms, one set slightly above the other, surrounded by a patch of wheat. The architecture of the set is reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. There is a heavy use of wood and metal which balances the common blend of modernism and traditional wooden houses found in much of Seattle. The visual aspects of the play, including lights and set, complement each other, accruing in both vibrance and warmth emitting from the stage. The open set allows light to cast from behind the main platform onto the stage, while the lighting warms and cools the stage to enhance the setting when needed, complementing the ornate but simple set design. The ecological themes in Walden are accentuated by Adair MacCormack's scenic design due to the audience being placed amongst the natural world. In the woods, every argument about whether to attempt to save our world versus escaping to another planet becomes increasingly desperate. Furthermore, the juxtaposition between leading a traditional life or a tech-infused one is championed by the architecture. Stark geometry competes with plants and hardwood, reflecting the choice Stella and Bryan made in moving to a remote area over the city.
Tension is an integral part of the story's flow. The emotional wound from Stella’s unexpected departure from NASA is shrouded in mystery for most of the play; Stella’s suspicion of Cassie having an ulterior motive for coming to the cabin grows as the play progresses. This tension never allows stagnancy—instead we find intellectual respite in silent moments. Every line of dialogue feels as if it might change the direction of the story, and the fate of humanity, and in some cases it does. Cassie’s work concerns the survival of humanity, while Stella’s life centers around her relationship with one man, Bryan. It is at this point the question between duty and desire must be answered by both sisters. The politically charged dialogue between characters shines in this part of the play. We see each character's opinions and what influences those opinions in the context of Berryman’s world.
Each performance shines in its own way, all converging on the nuanced dynamic between the two sisters. Cassie and Stella begin the show with reservations, clearly afraid to open up and open old wounds, but as the show progresses, each makes bolder moves to express their political opinions and analyze the past transgressions between them. We see each sisters’ motivation in their words, and it invests us in the story even further. Stella desperately wants personal love and meaning in her life, as shown by the quiet life she leads in the woods. Cassie wishes for her sister's acceptance and to be a pioneer of human space habitation. Yet, Cassie’s wishes end up conflicting with each other and climaxing at the end of the play. Both actors are able to harness that tension and deliver a realistic dynamic. Still, despite Shaw and Kleinpeter’s beautiful performances, Josh Kenji Langager’s intense performance sometimes lagged. Bryan’s dialogue felt clunky at times and pulled me out of the world of the play more than once.
Each actor’s performance is highlighted by the cozy ArtsWest theater, which provides an intimate experience for each audience member. The set pairs beautifully with the vibrant scenery, lighting, and soundscape. Connecting back to the relationship between the set and lighting, the soundscape also opens up the space into an expansive wilderness. Birds’ chirps and rustling leaves underscore calm moments, while it sneakily disappears when arguments arise. This creates an uncomfortable environment, perfect for anger and discourse.
Walden is a touching and profound play, and exceeded the bounds of its theater through creative set design and decisive acting choices.
Lead photo: Josh Kenji Langager, Marena Kleinpeter, and Porscha Shaw in Walden at ArtsWest. Photo by John McLellan.
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