Word: wit
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...WIT...
...title itself implies, Wit is indeed a very witty play. The seemingly incongruous mix of comedy and drama is one of the most effective qualities of first time playwright Margaret Edson's thoughtful play. The critically acclaimed recipient of a Pulitzer Prize, Wit manages to recreate its off-Broadway magic in a shining Boston debut. And shining brightest of all is Judith Light, starring as the tough literature professor diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Dr. Vivian Bearing. Ms. Light earned national fame in the '80s with her portrayal of Angela Bower on the hit comedy series "Who's the Boss." Having...
...would hope the medical community could provide some of the support she lacks in her personal life. Instead, Wit depicts a series of cold, impersonal doctors and technicians whose primary concern, beneath the senseless formalities they are required to spew, is research. In all fairness, each does work with relative competence to save Dr. Bearing's life in the face of metastasized cancer, but only one character attempts to salvage the vanishing shreds of the patient's dignity in the process. Susie (Lisa Tharps) gives a moving performance as the simple-minded nurse who ultimately proves to be more intelligent...
...addition to Susie, Dr. Ashford (Diane Kagan), Dr. Bearing's old college literature professor, makes a poignant appearance at the deathbed of her old pupil in doubtlessly the most inspired moment of Wit. Kagan performs admirably as a soothing, serene presence in the life of a woman deep in physical pain and admittedly afraid of dying. She comforts Vivian as well as the audience, now taken by the increasingly realistic scenario that Dr. Bearing confronts...
From beginning to end, Wit is relentless in its presentation of the horrors of cancer. There is no intermission breaking the intensity of Dr. Bearing's two-hour performance. There is no avoiding her presence. Even the actual theater reinforces this feeling of intimacy. Standing beside the mammoth Wang Theater only reinforces the small size of the Wilbur, undoubtedly one of the smallest performance centers on Tremont. Thus from the moment Dr. Bearing takes the stage and greets the audience with the abrupt "How are you doing today?" we are drawn into her very personal experience...