`ROOM' AN ENGAGING CHAMBER OF ILLUSION : THE FACTS.Byline: Victoria Giruad People and Places Illusion, delusion delusion, false belief based upon a misinterpretation of reality. It is not, like a hallucination, a false sensory perception, or like an illusion, a distorted perception. , sin and expiation ex·pi·a·tion n. 1. The act of expiating; atonement. 2. A means of expiating. ex , reality or dreams? In ``Veronica's Room,'' by Ira Levin of ``Rosemary's Baby'' movie fame, a thriller, currently playing at Stage Door theater in Agoura Hills, it's a toss-up. The play, especially in the small Stage Door venue, is certainly emotional, even diabolical. With only a small and highly talented four-person cast, it manages to keep the audience guessing, unless you can see through the pretense. But who is really telling the truth? Susan, a Boston University Boston University, at Boston, Mass.; coeducational; founded 1839, chartered 1869, first baccalaureate granted 1871. It is composed of 16 schools and colleges. college student, played by the engaging Gisele Frazeur, accompanied by new boyfriend Larry, a competent Todd Nonnenberg, is invited to a country house outside Boston and asked to play-act in a real-life drama. A charming Irish couple, John and Maureen, who claim to be servants, have requested she do this small favor to relieve the anguish of their longtime employer, Cissy cissy Noun pl -sies Adjective same as sissy Adj. 1. cissy - having unsuitable feminine qualities effeminate, emasculate, sissified, sissy, sissyish, epicene , the owner of the home. As Maureen (the indefatigable Nancy Baker with another first-rate performance) and John (provocatively played by Spencer Scofield) explain, Cissy is getting old and she wants her sister Veronica to forgive her some wrong from long ago. Susan and Larry are taken to Veronica's room, sheets covering the furniture are removed and the room is as she left it, years before - filled with her old hobbies, dated music and other trinkets. Maureen warms to her story as she informs the young couple that Veronica was kept locked up in her room for 7 years, dying of some incurable incurable /in·cur·a·ble/ (in-kur´ah-b'l) 1. not susceptible of being cured. 2. a person with a disease which cannot be cured. in·cur·a·ble adj. disease in 1935. Brother Conrad died in World War II and sister Cissy is the only one of the family left, but she believes her sister Veronica still lives. Susan is to act out a harmless masquerade. Maureen shows the innocent Susan, Veronica's stylish clothes and brushes aside any doubts in Susan's mind, while Larry is led downstairs by John to enjoy some libation li·ba·tion n. 1. a. The pouring of a liquid offering as a religious ritual. b. The liquid so poured. 2. Informal a. A beverage, especially an intoxicating beverage. b. , while the drama plays out. Susan changes clothes and delights in her new 1935 look. She is left alone in the room to prepare Cissy's arrival and her brief performance. In Act II, the veil rips apart, as the audience is gradually and quite dramatically led to some comprehension of what is actually transpiring tran·spire v. tran·spired, tran·spir·ing, tran·spires v.tr. To give off (vapor containing waste products) through the pores of the skin or the stomata of plant tissue. v.intr. 1. . Have we gone back in time or is someone crazy? Indeed, what is sane sane (san) sound in mind. sane adj. Of sound mind; mentally healthy. sane and what is normal? The disturbing climax enlightens us, or does it? For your own answers to these questions, you must see this thriller. I'll never tell. WHEN: Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. on February 9 and 23, through March 1. WHERE: Stage Door theater, 28311 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. COST: $9 per person, $11 on Saturdays, Thursday dinner and show $14 per person. INFORMATION: (818) 889-5209 |
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