In the mid 1800’s, there was a line between the rights of men and women. This concept is at the base of a new show, The Fallen. This production comes from Manhattan Repertory Theatre. The Fallen started as a one-act play at the Looking Glass Theater where it was voted the audience favorite. It was later developed into a full play with readings at Abingdon Theatre. It’s arrival in New York is designated as Off-Broadway running now through October 25.
Written by Rita Lewis, The Fallen is a Western drama about two families, Adams and Nash, who live in the Colorado Territory in 1867. The events in the story unfold over seventeen years bringing the final scene to 1884.
Director Ken Wolf works with an outstanding group of actors who make up the cast. Simplistic but effective stage techniques are used to help tell the story. But be warned: the story depicts domestic violence, implied rape and gun use.
“The Fallen is a powerful Western about ordinary people finding extraordinary courage when the trail gets rough. It’s filled with love, loss, danger, redemption, and some wonderful surprises. Rita Lewis creates characters that we quickly care about, and I think audiences are in for one heck of an emotional ride,” says Director Ken Wolf.
An Intense and Powerful Story
The Fallen opens with Joseph Adams’ trial ending with a hung jury. Joseph was charged with killing his wife. The circumstances of why he killed her are revealed towards the end of the play and they give credence as to why the jury could not complete a verdict. When he returns home, his daughter, Sarah, is concerned about her father’s safety.
The second family is made up of Lily Nash, Preacher Henry Nash, and Abigail Nash. Being a man of God, Henry keeps a strong hold on his daughter. He is not pleased to see her go to a dance especially when she ends up pregnant from a boy she meets there. It is implied that a rape takes place resulting in a pregnancy. The disgrace to this family is more than anyone can handle and so Abigail works out a way for Lily to go to a convent a number of miles away.
While traveling, Lily meets Joseph who helps her out. His kindness is something Lily needs very much at that point.
Years later, Lily returns to her mother, Abigail, who misses her daughter tremendously. Through a series of events,Lily’s son Lucas is reunited with the family. Lily made the most of her life and she is so successful she is now able to take care of her mother.
There are difficult moments in the story and yet the people who have experienced the worse overcome them. The concerns with what will people say about me/us are prevalent. But despite it all, there is a satisfying ending.
Characters Created by a Dynamic Cast
Ken Wolf skillfully provides direction to help his cast create strong characters who make the story come alive. The intense development of the characters adds much to the storyline.
Playing the role of Joseph Adams is John Sarno. Joseph is a compassionate man who tries to help people and so it is difficult to understand why he killed his wife. The kindness and assistance he provides to Lily Nash is instrumental in her being able to make it to a new life. Lily is played by Jessica Luhmann. Her character is one of the main interests in the play and she handles the role very well. Lily is young and very much taken advantage of by Will played by Nathan Cusson. Will has a smaller part in the play and his attempts at charming Lily at first seem sweet, but his aggressive behavior towards her is leads to a crucial development in the story.
When Lily discovers she is pregnant, her father, Preacher Henry Nash, is upset with her. Max Avery-Lichtenstein turns in a strong performance in his role as Henry. He is a God respecting man who expects everyone else to be the same. But his inability to be kind to the women in his life tells another story. Chelsea Clark gives one of the most emotional performances in the show as Abigail Nash. She is a good woman saddled with an unkind husband. But she loves her daughter Lily with all her heart and she does everything she can to see that Lily can get a new life.
Gabriella Russo plays Sarah Adams, Joseph’s daughter. The role of his daughter brings in challenges that Sarah has to deal with. The disrespect of the town’s people towards her father is a heartache to her. She is a stable character who makes sure her father is still welcome in his own home. Cameron Parker gives the character Lucas a youthful but gentle energy as he represents next generation of the Nash family. We only see him a brief time towards the end of the play, but his arrival is a happy moment used to end the show.
Simple but Effective Stage Techniques
The characters and story line dominate The Fallen. So it makes sense that the stage has a good but simple set representing the West at the time in which the play is set. Both families are hard working but do not have much wealth. However simplistic their homes are, they are functional, clean, and well taken care of. A very clever use of two doors next to each other is very useful for showing the in and out portion of a home. Scenes where travel happens allow you to feel like you are out on a quiet area of land allowing the imagination to picture what it might have been like. There is a stillness to a few parts of the play that is quite wonderful to experience.
Good use is made of all the space inside the Chain Theatre. Characters frequently come up and down the aisles giving the audience some inclusive, but non-invasive moments.
Go to See The Fallen
This production of The Fallen is well worth going to see. It will take you back to a time and place not frequently seen in live theater. With a well written story and strong acting, you can’t go wrong.
Performances of The Fallen continue on Friday October 16 at 7pm, Saturday October 17 at 7 pm, Sun October 18 at 3 pm, Wednesday October 21 at 7 pm, Thursday October 22 at 7 pm, Friday October 23 at 7 pm, Saturday October 24 at 7 pm, and Sunday October 25 at 3 pm. Shows are at New York City’s Chain Theatre, 312 W. 36th Street, 4th Floor, NYC.
For more information about the show or tickets, go to the Manhattan Repertory Theatre website.