Sirens, a Midwest premiere at Citadel Theatre, is a fun night out.
You wouldn’t expect to find one of the Sirens such as those mentioned in the Odyssey and Greek or Roman mythology to be playing Solitaire on an Iphone. But you also might not expect a married male to resist said Siren when his 25 year marriage has lost its glow. However, the joy of watching Sirens, a love story and comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer, is a willingness to suspend belief.
Laufer’s funny, clever play pits a mid-life crisis to recapture youthful passion and the lure of a mythological maiden’s seductive music against the loving comfort of a long-term relationship.
Added to the sense of fun are the exaggerated gestures of Scott Phelps as aging husband Sam Abrams who seeks relationships on Facebook and those of Matt Pratt as Richard Miller, a former boyfriend of Abrams’ wife, Rose-Adele.
Through Rose-Adele, convincingly played by Scott’s real-life wife Ellen Phelps, you hear the frustration of taken-for granted spouses everywhere. She convinces Sam to take a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and rekindle their affection.
You know there is hope for the Abrams marriage when Sam, a song-writer, is more attracted to the Siren’s voice and music than the maiden’s seductive body and gestures.
Cassie Johnson carries off the role of Siren with great allure and wit. Johnson drops the allure but not the wit as the waitress who serves Rose-Adele during a misconceived tryst with Miller.
Directed by Will Casey with scenic design by Caitlin Fergus, Sirens goes for minimalistic staging that allows you to supply the details and feel part of the action.
Sirens is at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045, Feb. 3 through March 4. Visit Citadel Theatre or call 847-735-8554 for information and tickets.
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