Theatre South Carolina’s second play of the season is Bus Stop, now playing at Drayton Hall Theater, with guest director George Black. It is performed with enthusiasm and energy, but it manages to remain uninvolving. In this production, you are watching actors; you never feel that you’re part of the play. And in that sense, the show misses its mark, if not the bus.
At times the play seems like a series of monologues, and the cast members don’t seem particularly involved with each other, let alone with the audience. The staging is effective with bits of the snowstorm going on outside the window, a realistic set by Selena Kong, and some old radio broadcasts, including static, which serve as an introduction and to note scene changes.
And there are some good performances. Rebecca Williams is very believable as the young, naïve Elma. Bob Hungerford shows his usual professionalism as Dr. Gerald Lyman, and his Romeo and Juliet scene with Elma is particularly effective. Maxine DuPuis does a nice job as Grace, and E. G. Heard dons a Marilyn Monroe wig as Cherie.
Since the play is an old chestnut, most people have seen the movie and/or the play. This is not a bad play, but there is nothing particularly new or exciting in this version. The result left me at the station.
Bus Stop is at Drayton Hall Theater through Nov. 21. Call 7-2551 for reservations.
11/04
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Student Patrick Kelly plays Bo in Bus Stop Nov. 12–21 at Drayton Hall Theater.
