RHODYLIFE

RI writer’s world premiere at Community Players

By DON FOWLER
Posted 2/23/22

Rhode Island Playwright David W. Christner’s “A Tree Falls in Brookline” is getting its world premiere at Pawtucket’s Community Players 100th season.

The two-act comedy is …

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RHODYLIFE

RI writer’s world premiere at Community Players

Posted

Rhode Island Playwright David W. Christner’s “A Tree Falls in Brookline” is getting its world premiere at Pawtucket’s Community Players 100th season.

The two-act comedy is the 373rd production of Rhode Island’s oldest community theatre.

The play opens with playwright Cormac McIntyre (David Crossley)
lying in a hospital with a brain injury, having been a victim of a tree branch struck by lightning.

His agent (Geoff White) comes to visit with another friend (Camille Terilli of Warwick), but he doesn’t recognize them.

Mac is sent to a psychologist who works with him on gaining his memory back, having him read from his plays without knowing they are his.

His estranged wife (Elizabeth Parent) reappears, but he has no recollection of who she is, but feels a strong attraction toward her.

Certain phrases remind him of songs, and his memory returns in bits
and pieces.

Old “friends” and relatives have ulterior motives for dealing with
Mac, whose latest play is becoming a surprise hit.

The play deals with the issue of why writers write. For fame, money,
satisfaction or immortality?

All is resolved in the end as Mac starts to remember his past.

Christner is a talented writer. His scenes with the psychologist (Amy Thompson) are the strongest in the play, showing both wit and deep insights into the human condition.

Scenes involving more than four actors on stage become a bit chaotic and need some work. Especially scene fi ve in the second act.

The play has some good messages and good humor that needs to be fleshed out a bit more, but that is true in most plays receiving their fi rst production.

“A Tree Falls in Brookline” is showing at Pawtucket’s Community
Players, located in Jenk’s Auditorium on Division Street, across from McCoy Stadium, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For information and reservations, visit thecommunityplayers.org.

play, theater, Community Players

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