Unflinching 'Frozen' confronts dark questions
Bryony Lavery's “Frozen” isn't for those who like their theater light.
The drama delves into dark and disturbing waters. It poses provocative, not-easily-answered questions. And only in the final scene does it offer its characters respite from the debilitating burdens of grief, anger and regret.
Yet, in the hands of director Bryan Burke and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's small but mighty cast, “Frozen” is a powerful work — one that may linger longer than you'd like.
“Frozen” comes together as a series of scenes centered on three characters: Nancy, a British mother whose 10-year-old daughter was raped and murdered; Ralph, the man responsible for this heinous act; and Agnetha, a jumpy American researcher studying serial killers and the lethal factors that may drive them to their deeds.
Their stories — monologues at times — unfold on Galen G. Ramsey's multilevel set where a little girl's frilly bedroom is but steps away from a prison cell that ultimately holds her killer.
These are not easy characters to spend time with, and credit for that goes to BTE's talented ensemble. As Nancy, Connie Canaday Howard is forced to live a nightmare, paralyzed at first by uncertainty and worry when her daughter goes missing — followed by unfathomable grief when the child's remains are found following the arrest of a serial killer. Howard never succumbs to the temptation to overplay her pain, making her emotional journey all the more relatable.
Michael Sassone, meanwhile, walks a terrible tightrope as Ralph. One minute, he manages to evoke some measure of sympathy as the details of his early life are revealed. But then, he lets loose with a stream of obscenities, showing a far greater attachment to his suitcase full of child porn than he ever could for a fellow human. It's a remarkable and deeply chilling performance.
Kelli Walker's task as Agnetha is less showy, yet pivotal. Through her research and observations, Agnetha asks the questions at the heart of “Frozen:” Is there a difference between crimes of evil and crimes of illness? If illness is to blame — whether from brain injury or a lifetime of abuse — is murder a sin or a symptom? Is compassion therefore possible?
And what of forgiveness?
The questions, like the play itself, are powerful. How you respond to them might just color your appreciation of “Frozen,” however.
Parents, for example, might have a hard time relating to the scene depicting Nancy's sole visit with her daughter's killer. Nancy shows Ralph photos of her daughter and tries to explain to him the clearly foreign concept of remorse. Nancy wants Ralph to understand what he did, to appreciate what he took from her. She's there, she says, to confront and to forgive. But can she really do both? Has Ralph earned her forgiveness? And would she grant it if he had not?
Even if that scene and what follows somehow feels forced, “Frozen” is still a challenging work. It's just not a comfortable one.
“Frozen”
“Frozen”
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Location: Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.
Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; through Feb. 6
Running time: About two hours with a 15-minute intermission
Tickets: $23-$33
Parking: Free in lot
Rating: For adults; profanity and violent themes