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Fraternal Instinct
By Tony Fiorentino
Directed by Brandy Austin
Produced by Diamante Productions
At Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1500, tickets $18
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Through May 6, 2007
Intense drama about revenge soars
Tony Fiorentine, whose fine farce, Cold, Cold Feet, got my attention a year or so ago delivers a nicely written drama, Fraternal Instinct, that gives a fresh look at family dynamics when one brother holds the other responsible for an accident. Joel Travis (Andrew Pond), a struggling actor, becomes a paraplegic from the waist down as a result of an auto accident that had his brother Carter (Rawson Vint) driving. The play opens with Carter and Joel working on a play that Carter promised to write to help Joel return to the stage. The opening scenes set the tone of the play as we see that Joel is never satisfied with Carter’s writing. Joel emerges as an obnoxious nasty person whose relentless demands and insults render Carter to be the all-time wimp brother. Eventually we meet Vicki (Christine Cummings) Joel’s patient and loving fiancée with whom Joel pushed away despite Vicki’s sincere efforts.
Playwright Tony Fiorentino has penned a tight script that director Brandy Austin has paced to build into an engaging mystery as we keep wondering what will happen next as the Joel’s painful relationship lead to a climatic conclusion. This psychological complex story features realistic, fully developed characters dealing with fraternal duty, guilt, forgiveness and redemption, Fraternal Instincts demonstrates how revenge can consume one into a drowning straggle that leads to ultimate self destructive behavior. With excellent turns for all, especially Andrew Pond and Rawson Vint, this poignant drama is insightful and moving. Nice work form the talented new voice—Tony Fiorentino. Catch this riveting play.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007
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