‘Small Craft Warnings’

The Villagers bring Tennessee Williams’ barroom play into the light.

By: Stuart Duncan
   Almost every playwright has a barroom play somewhere in his repertory. There is something about a bar that allows the writer to reach for the bizarre, excusing logical in the haze of drunken behavior. Activities never permitted in everyday living-room or bedroom life can be suggested or even demonstrated.
   It took Tennessee Williams until late in his career to find his barroom, and he was long past his finest powers when he did. Small Craft Warnings is being given a wonderful revival in the Black Box space at the Villagers. Strong direction, a first-rate company of nine and a far-better-than-usual set design make for a "must-see" show.
   The setting is a small bar, called Monk’s Place, on the coast of California, apparently not far from Mexico. It is not one of those semi-posh sites that attempt to attract tourists, but a rather seedy place, inhabited mostly by the locals.
   We meet them in two ways — first as each interacts with the other lost souls on this particular stormy night — and then individually, in a series of short but intense monologues, breaking the fourth wall of theater covention to give the audience a few meaningful insights. And one remembers that this 1972 play was originally a one-acter, titled Confessional.
   There is Monk himself behind the bar (Rich Kline); Leona (Marion Sanders), the nominal owner of the spot, but on this particular evening in one of her "angry drunk" moods; Bill (Pete DiMarco), the man who has been sharing Leona’s trailer, parked behind the bar, for the past six months — a man who prides himself on his control of women, based, he is quite certain, on his sexual mastery; and Doc (Rob Pherson), needing several drinks "to steady my nerves," complete with medical bag if not a license to practice.
   Plus Violet (Tracey Fama), always a mere nudge away from tears, addicted to drugs as much as alcohol and therefore always with "the munchies," and a couple who wander in: Quentin (Voltaire Balderrama) suave, unflappable, wearing his homosexuality on his sleeve and face, and accompanied by a young college boy (Barrett Phelan), drawn into the scene and surprised to find he is buoyed by it.
   Director Jonathan Wierzbicki has cast superbly, as indeed one must in all Williams’ works. Although the script gives most of the thrust to Leona (Ms. Sanders), this is truly an ensemble performance. A minor work, to be sure, but given a first-rate revival.
Small Craft Warnings continues at the Villagers, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, through May 17. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12. For information, call (732) 873-2710. On the Web: www.villagerstheatre.com