The immersive and penetrating play, Everything Is Wonderful, is presented on the intimate Keegan Theatre stage space and keeps the audience absorbed with authentic Amish dialogue/word usage and accents as well as the almost continual interplay of the small cast of six uniquely drawn characters. As the characters face issues of forgiveness, betrayal, loyalty and a testing of their inner angels and demons amidst a tragic incident (involving two fatalities killed by a driver of a car) that has occurred, there is also a subplot involving a shunned daughter who attempts to find some connection to the family that shunned her. Playwright Chelsea Marcantel has kept “no stone unturned” in exploring the themes of unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion , community, hatred, and inclusion.
Playwright Chelsea Marcantel has created a play that applies a “Rashomon” effect throughout – the two parents Esther (Susan Marie Rhea) and Jacob (Michael McGovern) see the same tragic events that have occurred with totally different responses and viewpoints. The shunned daughter Miri (a phenomenally fluid performance by Leah Packer) believes that the unfortunate driver of the car is a fake interloper until she finally forms an outlier bond with the character of Eric (a rangy and engagingly raw performance by Max Johnson).
Playwright Chelsea Marcantel continues to probe themes as the character of Abram (a fine performance by Ben Clark) is accepted by the Amish family even though he was the agent of much trauma for Miri. The character of Abram is even allowed to court the totally accepted daughter of the family Ruth (the excellent Sasha Rosenbaum).
Lighting and projections design by Hailey LaRoe are highly effective – full of atmospheric hues and panoramic view of the countryside.
Costume design by Paris Francesca is incredibly detailed in its presentation of the Amish community.
Everything Is Wonderful is an extremely ambitious play that explores themes all too rarely presented in today’s volatile climate – it demands to be seen for that reason. The Keegan Theatre should be commended for presenting a play that pleads for listening and reciprocal conversations among those with differing views.
