Love takes center stage in 'Curious Savage'

FIGHT THE NIGHT! Charm, wit, and genuine laughter await anyone who sees Archmere Academy's production of The Curious Savage. Filled with joy, cleverness, and absolute hilarity, this show calls into question the real definition of insanity and brings to attention the value of love in everyday life.

The Curious Savage, written in the mid-twentieth century by John Patrick and first performed October 24, 1950, follows the story of Mrs. Ethel P. Savage, an old widow whose late husband has just left her a considerable sum of about ten million dollars. Her step-children; Titus (Senator) Lily Bell (spoiled heiress), and Sammy (emotional judge); have sent her into The Cloisters, a sanatorium, in the hopes of forcing her to relinquish ownership of their father's estate. There, Mrs. Savage meets a number of interesting characters, each with their own individual "oddity": Fairy May, Florence, Mrs. Paddy, Hannibal, and Jeff. These residents have created their own individual "eggshell world" in which they dream of impossible things. It is Mrs. Savage's goal to begin a memorial fund in her husband's name in order to help others pursue their own dreams, however impossible and ridiculous they may be.

On the whole, Archmere's production of The Curious Savage was a highly entertaining show. Each of the actors clearly understood the depth of their respective characters, and they connected easily with each other while onstage. They held a distinct understanding among themselves about the sentiment and feeling behind each word and each movement. Everything was precise, well thought out, and smoothly executed.

Two actors who really stood out in this production were Keelin Reilly (Titus) and Anna South (Mrs. Savage). Reilly's comic expertise was strengthened by his expression, tone, and understanding of his character. His fabulous portrayal of the typical American politician was spot-on; everything from his suit to his overt indignation was perfectly performed. South displayed impeccable comedic timing and ability in her performance as the old widow. She truly knew every thought in Mrs. Savage's mind to a T. The subtle expression and movement exhibited her skill in character development and comprehension.

In addition, the residents of the Cloisters stood out in their accurate portrayal of the everyday "crazy" person. Every aspect of their respective "eggshell world" was clearly defined and visible to the audience. Savannah Quinn (Fairy) was particularly skillful in her performance, exhibiting every sign of insanity from lying to a compromised self-image. Everything she did onstage was purposeful; while comical and often hysterical, there were always the subtle signs of insanity beneath it all. Wonderful.

The costumes and make-up, done by Claire Caverly, were absolutely top-notch. Considering that they were done almost entirely by one student, they definitely exceeded the standards of a normal high school production.

In the production, there is a theme about love and how there is love in the most daily of phrases, even if it is not said explicitly. The cast of The Curious Savage really took this to heart in their production. The relationships between each of the characters were quite genuine and definite, and they leave the audience wanting for more. Now, remember: take an umbrella, it's raining outside.