Arts

Unique Trigger

by Jules Becker
Wednesday May 1, 2019

This article is from the May 2, 2019 issue of South End News.


Liz Adams and Steve Auger in Zeitgeist Stage Company's production of Trigger Warning
Liz Adams and Steve Auger in Zeitgeist Stage Company's production of Trigger Warning  (Source:David J. Miller)

Trust David Miller and Zeitgeist Stage Company to tackle issues as formidable as front page realities. Over the course of the company's 18-year history, its productions have largely been an impressive who's who of provocative modern plays—from powerful younger generation-focused dramas like "Spring Awakening" (the Wedekind play itself) and "Punk Rock" to topical works like the underrated musical "Enron".

Even so, the resourceful and versatile artistic director has been able to fit in works by comedy writer extraordinaire Alan Ayckbourn and the late great sharp-eyed visionary Edward Albee. Stagings of powerhouse modern classics like the Holocaust-set "Bent" and AIDS-focused "The Normal Heart" have poignantly demonstrated Miller's attention to different aspects of LGBTQ life.

Now Zeitgeist is ending the company's multi-IRNE and Norton Award run with a very topical world premiere Jacques Lamarre drama entitled "Trigger Warning."
As Miller explains in the staging's playbill, "Trigger Warning" is the result of a Zeitgeist commission and close work with the company at the BCA for two years. Lamarre, he reveals, lives in Connecticut close to the sites of three mass shootings over recent years.

The playwright's unique perspective, Miller continues, is to tell the story of the play's shooting from the point of view of the family of the shooter.
Lamarre smartly opens his play—set in a Plainville, Connecticut—" today and the days that follow" at the home of the Murphys, the fictional middle class family in question. Gradually contractor Andrew—also called Murphy—and his realtor wife Jackie learn the details of the shooting and the enormity of what Travis has done.

Lamarre has purposely kept Travis unseen to focus on the reactions and feelings of the parents and daughter Meghan, whom her brother actually wounded during the shooting described as the worst in American history.
Andrew is an NRA member, a fact that now takes on heightened importance to all three. As guilt feelings abound, their seemingly tranquil family reaches a crossroads. Jackie and Andrew question themselves and each other as to what they did wrong and what they should have done. Meghan begins to find more comfort with her aunt Amy than with her parents.

Could Travis' crime have been prevented? As recriminations escalate, so do questions both on a personal level here and on a general level with regard to all such shootings and violence. Can schools and/or parents predict the volatility and dangerousness of a child like Travis? Could stronger gun control make a difference? Can mental health treatment helps? Can religion help? Can marriages and families withstand such extreme situations? Could even worse alternatives ensue? Lamarre essentially wants all theatergoers to question themselves and examine their own reactions, feelings and views as well as though of the Murphys.

Do not expect any facile answers from Lamarre. Do expect a thoughtful and highly intense drama (one appropriate for teenagers and up) very well acted. Liz Adams captures all of Jackie's outrage and deepening vulnerability as the Murphys are more and more shunned. Steve Auger has all of Andrew's impulsiveness and frustration.

Adams and Augurs quick verbal volleys as parents and human beings are rightly disturbing Lilly Brenneman finds all of Meghan's growing hurt about her parents' seeming cluelessness about fully consoling her and her telling trust in her aunt. Kelley Estes properly underplays reasonable Amy except in fiery moments between the sisters. Holly Newman has Attorney Bates' curious calmness.

Naeemah A. White-Peppers, in a very welcome return to Zeitgeist Stage, plays three different characters—an FBI agent, a reverend and an angry neighbor—and keeps each one vivid and distinct—especially buck-passing Reverend Tracy, who effectively excommunicates Jackie from his congregation.
Michael Flowers doubles as set and projection designer. His set has the right live-in simplicity for the Murphys. Special praise goes to his projection of coverage of the shooting over wall art and a framed photo of the parents and Meghan as though to say that they cannot escape from the aftermath's damaging hold. Michael Clark Wonson's lighting matches the drama's intensity.
"Trigger Warning" fires a cautionary call to all parents and friends and family with haunting immediacy. For their part, Miller and Zeitgeist are ending an 18-year run with a gem of a production that makes their exit from the BCA Black Box all the sadder.

In his playbill farewell, Miller looks forward to being a part of audiences for the productions of many other deserving area companies. Still, the Boson arts community must not give up on saving Zeitgeist. This is a unique Hub keeper.