REVIEW:
'Arborophilia'
Detroit Repertory Theatre, 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit. Thursday-Sunday, through Dec. 31. Tickets: $20. For information: 313-868-1347 or http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Older people marry younger people, Catholics marry Jews, whites marry blacks and in certain parts of the world, men marry other men. "Love is out of control these days," says an exasperated Judge Gwendolyn Gage in the early moments of "Arborophilia," the season-opening, world-premiere satire that's now playing at the Detroit Repertory Theatre. What she can't understand is why a Democrat would EVER consider marrying a Republican! And this is from a woman whose younger daughter, Laurel, has fallen in love with a tree!
Yes, you read that correctly: a tree. A poplar, to be exact – a non-judgmental and protective presence that has loomed over the vacant lot next door since long before the innocent, doe-eyed 18-year-old was born.
But it's her firstborn's pending marriage to an icky Republican that has Gwendolyn upset. After all, "Mixed political marriages don't work," she admonishes her daughter.
Lily, the soon-to-be-married 26-year-old psychiatrist, disagrees. Rather, she's more concerned with her younger sister's "unreasonable and unhealthy fetish for trees."
So, too, is Jimmy Duckfoot, the nearby tree surgeon – but for a different reason: He's fallen in love with Laurel.
The tree's existence is threatened when the lot's long-absent, billionaire owner, Dame Lucretia Bankmore Vandervelt, decides to build a quarry on her land. What's more, she expects her assistant, Fairmont Fythe – Laurel's betrothed – to carry out her wishes.
Whether or not the ax falls I won't reveal – except to say that the solution comes from a rather unexpected and "shady" source.
Although some might find the play's somewhat surreal moments a little too absurd for their tastes, what playwright Jacob M. Appel successfully plants is a silly, yet insightful poke at many of our cherished beliefs and institutions. Politics is a favorite target, as Republicans are depicted as evil, hard-hearted, money-hungry billionaires, Democrats are do-gooding tree-huggers and party allegiances are changed on a whim for reasons that have little or nothing to do with politics. Other barbs are tossed at the weather, love and marriage.
One minor complaint about Appel's satire is this: It reveals nothing particularly new about the human condition. Its strength, however, lies in the fresh and very funny perspective it offers on issues we often take far too seriously – and after this especially grueling and nasty political season, it's very much appreciated!
Bruce E. Millan's breezy direction compliments the script quite well, as does Harry Wetzel's imaginative set. Together, their scene changes are expertly – and quickly – executed.
With a brassy portrayal of the more logical Gage sister, DRT regular Leah Smith once again proves why the Rep's patrons love her. And it's easy to fall in love with Imani Turner, a former Miss Ohio Teen, who plays Laurel with pure honesty.
Other cast members include Michael Joseph (Jimmy) and Annie Cross, plus DRT newcomers Patsy Hudson (Gwendolyn) and Joseph Colosi (who, as Fairmont, gives yet another sparkling performance).
However, it's Henrietta Hermelin who storms the stage as the no-nonsense billionaire and reminds us why she's truly one of Metro Detroit's theatrical treasures.
