By Christina Perryman
Family life can be a tricky area to navigate under the best of circumstances. Personalities, quirks, status, mental health, relationships, and more, combine to make a sometimes happy, sometimes volatile, often dysfunctional environment. Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance” gives audiences a glimpse into the dynamics surrounding a family and what can happen when the normal equilibrium is upset.
The play, first produced in 1966, won both a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. Audiences can see the drama play out at Walnut Street Theatre under the thoughtful direction of Producing Artistic Director Bernard Havard and his spectacular cast.
Wendy Scharfman, Paul L. Nolan, Peter Schmitz, Grace Gonglewski, and Alicia Roper in Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance” at Walnut Street Theatre. Photo by Mark Garvin
“A Delicate Balance” focuses on married couple Agnes and Tobias. Living with the couple is Agnes’s younger sister, Claire, an alcoholic whom Agnes openly despises. Upon the opening scene, a small slice of the couple’s normal evening, Agnes is pondering what were to happen if she suddenly, or even gradually, went mad. Agnes clearly prioritizes order in her household and in her life, feeling she alone can maintain the balance of the family. Claire’s unpredictable ways and alcoholism threaten that order. Dynamics are further interrupted by the return of the couple’s adult daughter, Julia, home after her fourth failed marriage, and by the couple’s dearest friends, Edna and Harry. Edna and Harry appear on the doorstep after having some undisclosed “fright” at their own home. Honestly, that plot point made little sense throughout the show. The fright was never explained, Edna and Harry show up to spend a night, end up moving in and commandeering the household. Then leave as abruptly as they appeared. I also struggled with the character of Julia. She is supposed to be 37 years old but throws tantrums like a child.
However, the show has moments of comedy, mostly delivered through Claire, poignancy, and thoughtfulness. Walnut’s cast was fantastic. Alicia Roper is wonderful as Agnes. She delivers complicated monologues with ease, maintains her posh, rigid manner flawlessly and gives the general air of a control freak perfectly. Paul L. Nolan plays Tobias well. Nolan gives the character a mild-mannered air that compliments Roper’s character. Nolan can also switch to passionate and forceful when necessary. The only issue was Nolan spent a good part of the first act with his back to the audience. The blocking for him could have been better here.
Grace Gonglewski was a highlight as Claire. Gonglewski has great comedic timing and a dry wit. Her serious moments are as impactful as her comedy. Alanna J. Smith was tremendous as Julia. Smith’s meltdown was dramatic and surprising, very well done.
Edna and Harry, Wendy Scarfman and Peter Schmitz, were also well cast and gave terrific performances.
The upscale set, designed by Roman Tatarowicz, was stunning. The outside of the stage looks like a picture frame, perfect for this glimpse into family life. The black sides and the lighting gives depth to the area and makes it appear bigger than it is, giving the effect of spacious home owned by well-off people. The lighting, by Ryan O’Gara, was well done. During the final act, the sunrise effect was terrific. Elegant costumes by Rebecca Dwight, with wigs and make up by Amari Callaway, and sound by Christopher Colucci, completed the production.
If you go:
“A Delicate Balance” runs at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through March 29. Show times are 2 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $31.10 to $127.85 depending on the day and show time. For complete information, visit Walnut’s website. For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550. Walnut Street Theatre closes its 217th season with “1776 The Musical” beginning April 14.