International City Theatre presents the world premiere of Exit Wounds. Written by Wendy Graf. Directed by caryn desai [sic]. Produced by caryn desai [sic].
Linda Sadowski (Suanne Spoke) saw her family disintegrate as a consequence of a heinous crime committed by one of her sons. Rejection by the general public, death threats, and a devastating sense of guilt torn the family apart. The husband and the son left, leaving Linda with deep emotional and psychological scars to handle by herself. Over the years, Linda becomes a hoarder, living in a depressive and disorganized place, a manifestation of Linda’s internal devastation.
25 years later, her surviving son Matt (Michael Polak), finally shows up to visit her. He informs her that his dad passed away last year. He also tells her that he has a daughter and a son she hasn’t met yet. Linda informs Matt that she had breast cancer. The fact that they didn’t know about each other’s lives shows how disconnected they have been living from each other all these years. However, Matt know needs Linda more than ever. His son Danny (Hayden Kharrazi) is showing a disturbing behavior that seems too similar to the one exhibited by Linda’s deceased son. Her intervention is critical, as it can prevent the same tragedy that shattered their lives 25 years ago.
In Wendy Graf‘s Exit Wounds, the fascination with guns and missing the early signs of internal conflicts can lead to catastrophe. The eeriness of this play is the familiarity of the story. Again and again, we see it and hear it in the news. Another day, another tragedy, another missed sign of trouble. Graf dissects the emotional and psychological effects of a mass shooting tragedy from the point of view of the family’s perpetrator, not the victims. As controversial as this might sound, the reality is that such tragedies also leave a perpetual scar on the relatives of the perpetrator, a fact not covered by the media usually. In Exit Wounds, it’s up to the audience to sympathize or demonize the family in question. Were the parents careless? Were they aware of the signs? Do they deserve the suffering? Should we feel pity for them? One interesting question is: What can institutions like schools and courts do to help concerned parents with their troubled kids?
Director caryn desai [sic] creates a space with great attention to detail that feels dark and congested, externalizing Linda’s interior mess. Desai leads her three actors to build up the tension as the story unfolds. The initial comedic spin of the characters gives way to a much somber subject matter, leading to an emotional and moving display of guilt and sorrow, with a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. Exit Wounds is a story that presents three generations that are trying to find redemption from a tragic past. It’s also timely, touching, and a meaningful conversation starter to find solutions for an urgent matter.
Exit Wounds
INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
330 East Seaside Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Performances: August 25 – September 10
• Thursdays at 8 p.m.: Aug. 31, Sept. 7
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Aug. 25 (Opening Night), Sept. 1, Sept. 8
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 2, Sept. 9
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Sept. 3, Sept. 10
Tickets: ictlongbeach.org
Written by Wendy Graf. Directed by caryn desai [sic]. Starring Hayden Kharrazi, Michael Polak and Suanne Spoke. Produced by caryn desai [sic]. Presented by International City Theatre. Creative team: set designer Yuri Okahana-Benson, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Letitia Chang.
