^[1]

Marla Brown plays the lead role of Vivian Bearing in “Wit” at Davidson Community Players. (Monica Galloway photo)

^[2]By CONNIE FISHER
DavidsonNews.net

During the Renaissance, the word wit signified intelligence or wisdom. “Wit” is the title of a drama written by Margaret Edson, currently in production by the Davidson Community Players and in every sense of the word, wit is the result of their achievement. Davidson’s production certainly rivals the Broadway Tony Award-nominated play with Cynthia Nixon, even the made-for-television award-winning version starring Emma Thompson.

Bravo Maggie Edson for a brilliant Pulitzer Prize winning script. Bravo! Davidson Community Players for such a magnificent production. Bravo! Marla Brown for a breathtaking leading performance. And, bravo! Melissa Ohlman-Roberge for such stellar direction. “Wit” undoubtedly is Melissa’s masterpiece among masterpieces.

The accomplished Lake Norman actor Marla Brown plays the protagonist, Vivian Bearing, a professor of English literature known for her intense knowledge of metaphysical poetry who has been diagnosed with Stage IV insidious ovarian cancer. Marla never leaves the stage for more than 90 minutes—not even to check her makeup. Recognizing that cancer doesn’t reach Stage V, the erudite professor of John Donne’s metaphysical Renaissance poetry comes to grips with her dilemma using the intellectual exactitude she once demanded of her students.

Although “Wit” may be dealing with the subject of metastatic cancer, the play doesn’t focus on the depressing aspect of an illness. To the contrary, “Wit” is filled with a brilliant dose of sarcasm and witty humor common to a scene in any medical facility, juxtaposed by the vibrant complexity of Donne’s poetry. “Have we outwitted Donne or have we been outwitted?” the professor observes. “Why does John Donne make everything so complicated?” a student ponders during one of the professor’s flashback encounters. “Is he hiding behind his wit?”

Brown opens the play by asking the audience, “How are you feeling today?” a line she’ll reprise in various tones throughout her performance. And she’ll continue to address the theater patrons all the way to the end. “Treatment imperils my health,” she observes, reacting to an intensified dose of chemotherapy.

Marla Brown’s outstanding performance is supported by an exceptional cast of players including clinical research doctors aptly played by the familiar figure of Lou Dalessandro as the lead Dr. Harvey Kelekian and Davidson newcomer Justin Dionne as Jason Posner, a cold-fish medic and former student of poetry. Lacy Camp gives a delightful rendition of the efficient, empathetic nurse, Sue Monahan. Joan Tate plays a polished E.M. Ashford, the professor’s former teacher. “A comma separates death from life everlasting,” she tells her outstanding pupil. Their final scene is heart-wrenching.

The ensemble cast of hospital technicians/students brings levity to the intensity of the situation. Each player is credible—everyday life goes on even as the trauma from the treatment of cancer unfolds. Their portrayals are crisp and very well timed.

What also makes the Davidson production so outstanding is the clever staging, set design and lighting by “Wit’s” director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. Again, bravo! Even the sound effects are real.

Marla Brown’s real-life children have asked their mother not to portray a one-armed player any time in the future. Everyone in the audience can understand why.

If “Wit” benchmarks the quality of productions put on by the Davidson Community Players this season, the audience is in for a real treat.

WANT TO GO?

“Wit” continues in production Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson. Sunday matinee performances, March 17 and 24 are at 2pm. For ticket information call 704-892-7953. Tickets also may be purchased online at www.DavidsonCommnityPlayers.org ^[3]