(Posted October 1, 2005)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rhubarb Theatre Company has done it again.

What has it done? Produce a story about people that's thought-provoking and entertaining.

First was LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE in 2003. Then came BIRDS IN CHURCH in 2004 and THE NORMAL HEART in June. Now, Julie Alexander and her creative cohorts have tackled Craig Lucas' touching comedy BLUE WINDOW with equal success.

The play is set in New York City on a Sunday evening in 1984. Libby (Stacey Shaffer) is having a dinner party, and there's quite a social mix on the menu: Tom (John Vasile), a struggling young composer, and his girlfriend Emily (Carey Kotsionis); Griever (Michael Roark), whose feelings for Libby conflict with his sexual orientation; lesbian couple Alice (Arita Trahan) and Boo (Trish Moalla), whose sharp minds and sharp tongues are often used as weapons against each other; and Norbert (Clay Hillwig), the man who may just succeed in getting the reticent Libby to open up about her painful past.

Alexander's casting is perfect; the look, and feelings, we get from each actor are perfectly suited to their roles. They also handle Lucas' witty dialogue in an unforced, natural way. Special nods go to Kotsionis for her sad, wistful rendition of the song "The Same Thing (Office Girl's Lament)" and to Shaffer, who reveals the reason behind her character's fragile psyche in a heart-rending exchange with Hillwig's character.

The play's staging makes good use of the Darkhorse space, allowing us to see characters in different locations simultaneously without overpowering our ability to focus on each. Alexander handles the fluid movement of Lucas' script with a light, quick touch that allows her performers to bring the story to us without confusion.

Offering technical support worth noting are Shane Eric Caudill, whose lighting moves smoothly and swiftly to match the story; and Brian Gordon, whose professionalism insures that the music for this production is a comfortable, not jarring, experience.

Yes, Rhubarb Theatre Company has succeeded again. Other theaters take note: you don't have to spend a lot of money, or pick a play that's been done to death (this is BLUE WINDOW's Nashville premiere). You just have to put good actors, director and crew together with a good play. Here's hoping that Alexander and her ensemble use their winning recipe for years to come.