Pacific Resident Theatre presents A Permanent Image. Written by Samuel D. Hunter. Directed by Andrew Wayman.
Viola, Idaho. December, 2011. Bo (Scott Jackson) and Ally (Dalia Vosylius) visit their mom Carol (Terry Davis), after the passing of their dad Martin (Phil Cass). Nothing seems that unusual, except that Martin died of suicide. Oh, and that Carol painted the house with brushstrokes of white paint, including the furniture.
As the recriminations intensify, the family dynamics start to unveil the complexities of their lives. Education, negligence, and the despair of feeling left behind all play a role in the way the characters treat each other.
The busy schedules of Bo and Ally have prevented them from visiting their parents more often, taking a toll on Martin and Carol’s emotional state. It is the lack of formal education what seems to push Martin and Carol to get involved in some esoteric beliefs about cosmology. That philosophy leads them to some extreme views about life and death. It is now time for Bo and Ally to either accept or reject Carol’s decision about her own choices following Martin’s death.
Director Andrew Wayman uses the exposition of the character’s lives to convey the dramatic consequences of growing apart as a family and the psychological scars left by that fracture. In A Permanent Image, Samuel D. Hunter explores the effects of isolation and the efforts of family members to reconnect with each other. It is, however, the topic of voluntary euthanasia that raises the most ethical and philosophical questions. If life has no more value for someone, should that person be allowed to commit suicide with some assistance?
The four actors portray the vulnerabilities and resilience necessary to trigger deep and emotive reactions from the audience. Throughout the play, they build up the tension for that very last scene. It’s intimate. It’s emotional. It’s powerful.
A Permanent Image
Pacific Resident Theatre
703 Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
Opened December 2, 2023
Closing: February 25, 2024
Schedule:
Saturday, 2/10 – 8 pm
Sunday, 2/11 – 3 pm
Saturday, 2/17 – 3 pm
Sunday, 2/18 – 3 pm
Saturday, 2/24 – 8 pm
Sunday, 2/25 – 3 pm
Tickets: pacificresidenttheatre.org
Playwright: Samuel D. Hunter. Director: Andrew Weyman. Assistant Director: Susan Wilder. Presented by Pacific Resident Theatre. Cast: Phil Cass (Martin), Terry Davis (Carol), Scott Jackson (Bo), and Dalia Vosylius (Ally). Creative team: Michael Franco (Lighting Design), Andrew Weyman (Scenic Design), Susan Wilder (Costume Design), Keith Stevenson (Sound Design), and James Morris (Projection Design).
