In classical theater, a lot of characters end up dead. (Shakespeare, anyone?) But while theatrical death might not be an uncommon end to a show, it's unusual to begin a play with the death of the main character and then follow her into the afterlife. Watching her repeatedly kill herself only adds to the eccentricity.
"Miss Witherspoon," a Pulitzer Prize finalist performed by the Lyric Stage Company, explores life after death through the experiences of Veronica (Paula Plum). Veronica isn't happy on Earth. She hates the uncertainty of life and longs for a peaceful death. This leads her to commit suicide for the first time, when she intentionally stands underneath a piece of the sky, which is, incidentally, falling. She expects the afterlife to be a relief from her worldly troubles, something along the lines of the conventional Christian heaven, but she is sorely mistaken.
After she dies, Veronica is met by Maryamma (Mala Bhattacharya), who serves as her spiritual guide and explains that Veronica must be reincarnated in order for her soul to learn some important lessons. Veronica sees Maryamma as an Indian woman wearing a sari, because she associates reincarnation with Hinduism. However, Maryamma explains that there is an afterlife to fit with everyone's religious beliefs. Christians are sent to Heaven, Muslims to Paradise, and Jews (along with Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and others who don't believe in an afterlife) go to a place described as "prolonged general anesthesia." Only the souls who still need to learn life lessons are returned to earth.
Veronica heartily resists being put into another body and is deeply afraid to return to earth. Two of the times she is forced to reincarnate, she commits suicide and returns to the afterlife. The only life she enjoys is that of a dog. Maryamma grows frustrated with the unwilling Veronica, and convinces Jesus Christ (Jacqui Parker) and Gandalf (Larry Coen) to visit her.
Morbidly funny and unflinchingly absurd, "Miss Witherspoon" addresses religion, the human condition and the hilarity of even the most miserable situations. Through the plot is impossible, talented acting makes pseudo-childish humor effective and leaves the audience with an enjoyable and meaningful show.
Paula Plum as Veronica is particularly captivating. Though initially hard to like, her character is both human and funny, and as the show progresses, Plum makes Veronica's growth as a person evident. Though Maryamma says Veronica is "like a negative woman in an Agatha Christie novel," her prickly personality is more endearing than irritating, making her development more meaningful to the show's audience. Plum's character is manifested in a middle-aged woman, but throughout the show, she becomes a two-week-old baby, a teenage girl and a dog. No matter what her age or species, Plum is dead on.
The rest of the cast does a good job supporting Plum in her lead role. Marianna Bassham successfully plays two very different characters: a preppy, suburban mother and a drug addicted, abusive woman. Jacqui Parker as Jesus is unexpected and funny, and Mala Bhattacharya's Maryamma is sufficiently angelic.
The set and lighting design are consistently creative throughout the show. It's impossible not to notice the many dolls hanging from the ceiling or the rows of mannequin heads at the back of the stage as you walk into the theater. These surreal and slightly creepy touches perfectly fit with the morbid, humorous mood of the play. The lighting conveys both divine and earthly settings, shifting the audience's focus seamlessly.
A creative and surprising prop that complements the show's original set design allows Plum to act as a baby. As she sits underneath a crib that covers her entirely, Plum sticks her head through the top and into a bonnet, and manipulates the arms and legs of a puppet. The effect is that of a tiny newborn with the face and expressions of a middle-aged woman. If it wasn't hilarious, it would probably be disturbing.
"Miss Witherspoon" is theater of the absurd at its finest: funny, creative and completely unexpected. For an audience who prefers more classical, realistic theater, this show is probably too random to enjoy. But for those with a healthy suspension of disbelief and a willingness to laugh, "Miss Witherspoon" is a novel, darkly comic and well-acted show that is unquestionably pertinent to our times.
