Anatomy of Gray is presented by Open Fist Theatre Company. Written by Jim Leonard. Directed by Ben Martin. Set in Gray, Indiana in the late 19th century.
After the death of her father, 15-year-old June (Rebekah Paugam) asks God to send a healer so the people of Gray don’t have to suffer the loss of a loved one ever again. Almost as a miraculous answer to her prayers and in the midst of a twister, a man falls from the sky and lands on the small town of Gray, Indiana. That man happens to be Dr. Galen P. Gray (Jeremy Guskin). In reality, his hot air balloon gets caught up in the tornado and Dr. Gray survives the fall with no injuries.
As he gets acquainted with the residents of the small town, Dr. Gray starts to treat and cure their ailments, much to the distrust of the town’s preacher, Pastor Phineas Wingfield (Alexander Wells, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Romantics). Belva Collins (Beth Robbins), Crutch Collins (James Fowler, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Tiny Wingfield (Lane Allison, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play), and Maggie (Debba Rofheart, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) all are treated by Dr. Gray at one point. For 19th-century America, curing a disease relies heavily on praying, as religion played a central role in rural 19th-century America. Dr. Gray’s knowledge of medicine becomes a clash between science and religion despite the benefits to the population. Curiously enough, soda pop saves the life of Homer (Alex Hogy), one of the young inhabitants of Gray.
Building up the tension is June’s sexual awakening and her infatuation with Dr. Gray. To complicate things, Dr. Gray starts to develop feelings for June’s mom, Rebekah (Martha Demson), who is pregnant.
Eventually, some of the residents of Gray start to show marks in their bodies. Some of them fall sick and soon they start to die. Blaming Dr. Gray (who is Jewish) for their ailments, the outbreak unleashes an antisemitic outburst that leads Dr. Gray to run away. Amid the chaos, Dr. Gray, June, Rebekah, and Pastor Wingfield will be forced to make tough decisions in order to survive.
Playwright Jim Leonard presents the reactions of people when faced with extraordinary challenges. Taking into account the lack of scientific knowledge of particular diseases back in the 19th century, an outbreak would be considered a punish from God or the malevolent action of a perceived enemy. Historical episodes with similar characteristics are the Black Death in the Middle Ages, the AIDS epidemic in the 80s, and even the Covid pandemic. In that sense, Anatomy of Gray is a relatable play that delves into the conspiracy theories in lieu of sound scientific explanations.
This is also a coming-of-age story where a 15-year-old girl is finding her place in the world in the middle of a personal tragedy. Her relationships with the opposite sex, her insecurities, and her wishes to explore the world far beyond her small town are topics as contemporary as they were in the 1800s.
Ben Martin‘s direction achieves a compelling and dynamic play, translating the poignancy of the script effectively with humor and a maze of emotions to engage the audience.
Creative team: Scenic designer Jan Munroe, lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, sound designer Marc Antonio Pritchett, costume designer Mylette Nora, scenic artist Stephanie Crothers, and prop masters Bruce Dickinson and Ina Shumaker. The production stage manager is John Dimitri.
Anatomy of Gray
Written by Jim Leonard. Directed by Ben Martin. Starring Lane Allison, Rosie Byrne, Martha Demson, James Fowler, Jeremy Guskin, Alex Hogy, Erica Mae McNeal, Rebekah Paugam, Alina Phelan, Beth Robbins, Debba Rofheart, and Alexander Wells. Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director.
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.
Performances:Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 21, 2023
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Dec. 2; Dec. 9; Dec. 16; Jan 6; Jan 13; Jan 20 (dark Nov. 25; Dec. 23; Dec. 30)
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 19 (Opening Night); Nov. 26; Dec. 3. Dec. 10; Dec. 17; Jan 7; Jan 14; Jan 21 (dark Dec. 24; Dec. 31)
Sundays at 3 p.m.: Nov. 27; Dec. 4. Dec. 11; Dec. 18; Jan 8; Jan 15 (dark Dec. 18; Dec. 25; Jan. 1)
Tickets: openfist.org
