Delightful dark comedy at Burbage

Theatre Review by Don Fowler
Posted 3/28/23

It is a delight to watch a play loaded with morals and messages that also provides you with plenty of laughs.

Burbage Theatre has the perfect solution, bringing Jen Silverman’s …

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Delightful dark comedy at Burbage

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It is a delight to watch a play loaded with morals and messages that also provides you with plenty of laughs.

Burbage Theatre has the perfect solution, bringing Jen Silverman’s “Witch” to Pawtucket for its Rhode Island premiere.

The modern fable set in Medieval times will make you think about what you might do when faced with selling your soul for anything you may want.

Scratch, the devil’s salesman comes to the village of Edmonton to try his sales pitch on a few vulnerable souls.

There is Elizabeth, the lonely woman that the town has labeled a witch.

Add Cuddy Banks, (Alex Crespo Rosario) son of Sir Arthur Banks (Aaron Morris),who is rejected by his father for his lack of ambition. All he wants in life is to be a Morris Dancer.

Add Frank Thorney, the sinister opportunist who has wormed his way into the Banks castle, winning the confidence and friendship of Sir Arthur at the expensive of his son.

A rivalry develops. Scratch manipulates the two men to sell their souls in exchange for having their desires met.

Frank has secretly married Winnifred,(Mary Mullane),who has become the maid of the household, in hopes of her husband becoming heir to the property. She makes her own deal with the devil.

Meanwhile, Scratch (Zack Gibb) bonds with Elizabeth, as they both let down their guard and reveal their feelings to each other.

All of this is played out with tongue-in-cheek humor with secrets, inner feelings, hopes and dreams revealed. And Rosario proves to be a pretty good dancer.

But you can’t always get what you want as each character asks themselves if selling their soul is worth it.

“Witch” will give you much to ponder, thanks to the artful direction of Allison Crews and the perfect timing and performances of the six accomplished actors.

I must single out MJ Daly and Zach Gibb for their moving scenes together. They make the with and the devil real human characters.

“Witch” is at Burbage Theatre, 59 Blackstone Ave., Pawtucket through April 9. Call 484-0355 or goon line at burbagetheatre.org for tickets.

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