Theater three, in the Staller Center, was filled to its capacity on Sunday for the final showing of Pocket Theatre’s adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s “Sailor’s Song,” under the direction of Natalie Allen. “Sailor’s Song,” a fitting selection for the mostly student audience, offers a look into a young man’s life while he struggles with the woes of being a young adult.
“Sailor’s Song” follows Rich (Anthony Famulari), in his search for self-identity, love, the meaning of life and stability in an unstable world. The play opens with Rich drinking by himself in a dim bar. A few seconds pass and Lucy (Allison Cohen), another patron at the bar, approaches him and invites him to her table. Once seated, he is introduced to her sister Joan (Brittney Lacey), who is continually writing on a yellow pad.
While Rich talks to both sisters, he informs them that he is visiting from out of town in order to be by his dying aunt’s side (Kerry Logan). As Rich continues to open up to the sisters, Joan’s odd behavior piques his curiosity. Joan then confesses to be a medium-spirit who is possessed by a dead Punjabi salesman. To make matters even more bizarre, she then excuses herself after it begins to rain, in order to the meet the mysterious black man who appears with the natural occurrence.
The whole night isn’t a waste for Rich, as he develops instant connections between both sisters, which results in problems later on. After he ends his night with the sisters, he returns to his uncle John (Boris Jacobson), who appears unfazed by his dying wife. Drunk and sounding like the sailor he is, John reminisces about his wife as well as other events that have affected his life. When Rich begins to challenge his uncle’s thinking, he is confronted by his own demons. It is here where we see a glimmer of deep-rooted family and personal issues that haunt both Rich and John.
The performers executed their roles precisely. Famulari, a first timer to the stage was the most convincing, as the whole audience felt his personal turmoil. Famulari, a sophomore, said he was “honestly surprised and excited” when he found that he would be playing the lead role. Jacobson’s character added a lively feel to the whole production with his lewd and outrageous lines. Uncle John was a perfect fit for Jacobson, who looked forward to “cursing and drinking on stage.” Cohen, as Lucy, gave the play a romantic aura as she tried to win over Rich’s heart. Her sister, Lacey injected a mysterious touch to the plot with her mystical powers. Kerry Logan also performed a solo dance routine that allowed the audience a better understanding of her character’s mysterious persona.
Natalie Allen, a senior, succeeded in bringing her creative vision of this play to the stage. She enjoyed her experience overall and noted that, “My actors were amazing, crew was amazing everything aligned, and just worked.”
The audience agreed and responded positively with applause at the end of the last scene. “It was good, they did well.” said Camille Freud, 18, freshman “Choreography was superb.”
