Playwright Dominique Morisseau weaves an entangled plot 

Published March 12, 2018 on GilroyLife.com

Faye (Margo Hall) and Dez (Christian Thompson) are auto plant workers in Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew” co-presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Marin Theatre Company at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto March 7 to April 1, 2018.
Photo credit: Kevin Berne

“Skeleton Crew” tells of the situation of a Detroit auto plant about to go under during the 2008 Great Recession. Playwright Dominique Morisseau weaves an entangled plot of four friends in the position of losing their badly needed jobs.

Director Jade King Carroll moves her actors with salty fast-moving dialogue that keeps attention and awareness of the action that is about to happen.

Margo Hall as Faye the tough union leader, Christian Thompson as the determined

Dez working to get a business of his own at almost any cost, Tristan Cunningham as Shanita, the pregnant line-paint worker that takes pride in a job that gives her no credit. Then there is Lance Gardner as Reggie, the plant supervisor/manager who tries to apply the rigid rules and at the same time cover for his friends. Here are four of some of the finest actors in the business today. They bring a solid bar of unmatchable delivery and performance to their parts that makes them a pleasure to watch

The set by scenic designer Ed Haynes is a realistic grubby staff room for the line workers to keep their belongings, take breaks and time off. Sound by Karin Graybash and lighting by Steven B. Mannshardt are as usual first-rate. Callie Floor dresses the cast in the hand-me-downs of the times. A TheatreWorks production covers all aspects of a class act.

Making its regional Premier, “Skeleton Crew” enters this season’s TheatreWorks top flight group of plays that reach the mind and soul. Superbly cast and directed. “Skeleton Crew”  offers an evening of fine theatre,

DETAILS

TheatreWorks “Skeleton Crew”

Where: Lucie Stern Theatre at 1305 Middlefield Rd.-Palo Alto

Through: April 1

Running time: Two hours with one intermission

Tickets: $40- $100

Tickets, reservations and information: (650) 463-1960 or visit: theatreworks.org

 

Camille Bounds