Abortion rights drama lukewarm
Given its incendiary subject matter, you'd think the abortion drama "Keely and Du" would manage to generate more sparks.
Centered on abortion rights with men's subjugation of women providing an equally compelling subtext, "Keely and Du" -- in a revival at Infamous Commonwealth Theatre -- has some humorous moments and a few impassioned scenes. But this play attributed to Jane Martin -- reportedly the nom de plume of former Actors Theatre of Louisville artistic director Jon Jory, founder of Kentucky's prestigious Humana Festival of New American Plays -- is not so much a great drama as it is an ideological debate between abortion rights supporters and opponents.
The story unfolds in set designer Heath Hays' cheerless basement cell where grandmotherly Du (the disarming Joanna Maclay) nurses pregnant rape victim Keely (Genevieve Thompson, successfully resisting stereotypes) who is handcuffed to a bed.
A blue-collar woman working two minimum-wage jobs and caring for her disabled father, Keely was beaten and raped by her violent, alcoholic ex-husband Cole (an improbably affecting James Dunn). Violated once, she's violated a second time by the members of a radical, right-to-life group led by paternalistic minister Walter (the seemingly solicitous, honey-voiced Paul Joseph), whose members abduct her to prevent her from having an abortion and place her in the hands of caretaker Du, a true-believer with three sons of her own.
The action consists mostly of the two women defending their positions, with occasional sermonizing from the self-righteous Walter, a man "with God but insufferable about it," whose compassion for the fetus outweighs any concern for Keely. Du extols the virtues of motherhood and the sanctity of life. The self-aware Keely argues for her mental well-being (still suffering the after-effects of the rape she fears hurting the baby) and objects to the group using her to advance their cause.
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's Kurt Naebig directs ICT's production with an eye toward softening the polemics by focusing on the play's emotional component, namely, forgiveness. Unfortunately, as of opening night, Maclay and Thompson had yet to establish a consistent rhythm and a sustained emotional connection. To be fair, the brief scenes that comprise the overly long first act don't really allow for that. Things begin to gel in the second act when (predictably) a grudging affection develops between hostage and captor.
The women's relationship intensifies with the arrival of Keely's contrite, seemingly reformed ex-husband (like Walter, a one-dimensional character) whose appearance sets up a climax that should shock more than it does. That leads to a contrived, tepid epilogue that -- like Martin's play and ICT's production -- fails to generate much heat.
"Keely and Du"
2 stars out of four
Location: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago Times: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays; 3:30 p.m. Sundays through March 23
Running Time: About two hours, with intermission
Tickets: $20
Parking: Adjacent to theater
Box office: (312) 458-9780 or infamouscommonwealth.org
Rating: For adults