By Cary Shuman
There is still time to see Giuseppe Piccirilli’s “Autophagy,” at the Riseman Family Theater in Chelsea Square.
In his first A Theatermakers of Today Production, Piccirilli takes the audience on a psychological thriller/dark comedy eye-opening ride.
“We explore themes of self-expression, mental health, relationships, and coming of age,” said Piccirilli, a 22-year-old graduate of Connecticut College where he received a degree in theatre. “I think it is grounded in realism and throughout the show we cross the border into an absurdist, supernatural world.”
The reaction has been extremely positive from audience members. Actors Louise Wade (Chris) Madeline Haefele (Ada) and Ryan Brearly (Cam) have an on-stage comradery that is noteworthy and and commendable.
Wade is an accomplishment actor and playwright who is a graduate of Connecticut College and her future is bright, based on her superb, all-in performance in the play. If Wade were a stock, you’d say, invest in her wide-ranging abilities and the dividends will arrive soon.
Haafele is a rising student at Northeastern University School of Law who simply nails her part in the play. At one point, she talks directly to the audience and brings them along enthrallingly for the journey to the finale. Brearly, a theater major at Connecticut, excels in understated fashion and audiences are perplexed by his unsettling portrayal of Cam.
Without giving away the ending, Stanglewicz, a junior at Dean College, will grab your attention with her impactful, dramatic performance near the end of the show. Stanglewicz’s musical theater background will become vivid with her stylish movements and sheer athleticism on stage.
“There has been really amazing feedback in terms of what people have taken away from it,” said Piccirilli, a graduate of Boston College High School. “I feel that every time we do a show, people really react to a different scene. Some people have been very much enthralled by the comedy of the earlier scenes in the show and other people were taken aback by the very dramatic and intense ending that we close the show with.”
Picciriili knows he drew four aces in the cast.
“I can tell you all four actors committed their all to the process,” credited Piccirilli. “They were constantly willing to explore and try new things and very helpful in deriving the character work of the story. And it was incredible to work with all of them.”
Autophagy brings down the curtain with four more shows, Thursday through Saturday (August 14-16 at 7 p.m.) and Sunday (August 17at 2 p.m.).
It’s definitely worth the trip to the Riseman Theatre. And in a nice treat, you’ll get to speak with the actors and director immediately after the show.