July 16, 2025
A&E | Northwest Herald
A&E

Review: Theatrevolt's 'Six Characters' in Richmond a courageous, well-casted endeavor

By REGINA BELT
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Dominic Donato of McHenry (from left), as Son, Corey Keane of McHenry, as Father, Lynn Sciaraffa Homeier of Woodstock, as Mother, and Trace Gamache of Crystal Lake, as Step Daughter star in "Six Characters in Search of an Author," presented by Theatrevolt through April 16 at Richmond Memorial Hall. (Photo provided)

“Six Characters in Search of an Author” has all the makings of a “Twilight Zone” episode. Written by Sicilian playwright Luigi Pirandello in 1921, the play itself always is identified as an “absurdist metatheatrical” piece, and is a classic theater study staple.

The plot is intriguing and clever. As an acting company prepares to rehearse “The Game of Role Playing,” a Pirandello play, (“The French no longer send us good plays” proclaims the director), six masked and grim people interrupt the rehearsal. The director, furious, demands an explanation, and the Father character explains the six are unfinished characters in search of an author to finish their drama.

The rehearsing acting company retires to watch as the story of the six characters wordily unfolds with complexity until it abruptly ends in Act Two after two horrific events are foretold.

“Six Characters in Search of an Author” is the inaugural production of the new, nonprofit community theater company Theatrevolt. Kudos to director Tim Vance for courageously undertaking such an endeavor.Vance brilliantly has adapated and set “Six Characters” in 1920s Hollywood, and costumer Patty Halajian has captured the satins, silks and stiff collars of the era beautifully. Vance, to his credit, cast well and keeps the pacing at an energetic level.

The actors of the acting company (Vince Calucci, Jessica Dawson, Jessi Miller, Karla Reinfhofer, Phil Denofrio and Joshua Szeszol) particularly look and act their parts and are extremely attractive in Halajian’s costumes. Of the six characters, Trace Gamache is outstanding as the enigmatic Step Daugher. Her gracefulness, seductiveness and lust for revenge are richly and rewardingly showcased. Domic Donato portrays the tense, haunted, explosively removed character of the Son. He is always in the moment despite his aloof silence, and the physicality of his body, especially his hands, is superb. Corey Keanne, as the Father, deserves much admiration – not just for the amount of lines he delivers, but as well for the sliding, knock-down fall he takes after a fight with the Son.

As with any new production on opening night, there are issues that need to be resolved. Lighting is dim and often fuzzy, some lines are delivered in a continued William Shatnernesque style and blocking has the potential of being a traffic jam (undoubtedly due to a cramped stage of 13 characters and lovely set pieces).

One scene in particular, a strong scene between the Director (Dan Pegarsch) and the Step Daughter, is done on the auditorium floor below the stage and, although effective, sadly can’t be seen beyond the second row of the audience. (Seats are set out padded chairs, all on the same level). There also is no curtain call, just a snap black-out, which caused confusion for waiting audience members who truly wanted to applaud the efforts of the ensemble.

It is difficult to truly pinpoint exactly what Pirandello meant to convey with “Six Characters.” Is it a criticism or homage to the theater? Or is it a disguised view of relationships, an expression of the tragedy and disillusionment based on his own adult life? Perhaps the answer lies best in the lines of the Director: “This is the theater, and our motto is the truth... up to a certain point.”

• Regina Belt-Daniels is a working actress and director who began her career onstage in 1985 at the Woodstock Opera House. Currently serving on the Raue Center for the Arts Board, she also is a lifetime member of TownSquare Players and a retired District 47 teacher.

“SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR”

WHEN: 8 p.m. April 8-9 & 15-16

WHERE: Richmond Memorial Hall, 10308 Main St., Richmond

COST & INFO: A play written by Luigi Pirandello and performed by the newly created Theatrevolt. Running time is 2 hours, with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets cost $15 at the door. Information: 872-239-VOLT or www.theatrevolt.com.