Beautiful Soup Theater Presents

WHAT WAS LOST
Five Plays in Repertory by Steven Carl McCasland

The Clarion Theatre
309 East 26th St.
NY NY 10010

8, 10, 13, 14, 20, 23, 28, 30, 31 May 2015

Written and Directed by Steven Carl McCasland

Taking on a backstage play about one of the most iconic shows of the 20th century, “A Glass Menagerie,” is biting off quite a mouthful for a young playwright. Steven Carl McCasland confidently takes on this project successfully. It is a good play, but I don’t know that it could have worked without the fine, strong performance by Pennylynn White. Fragile, tender, yet with an inner strength and fire, the Hepburnesque White brings the insecurity of an alcoholic with the confidence of a stage diva into a lovely and complex character. I’d really like to see her play Amanda sometime.

The rest of the cast is able, if not extraordinary. The small, unusual space is well used and the lighting is terrific (kudos to Lighting Designer Molly Tiede). Unfortunately the costumes of the supporting characters were distractingly modern, but I’m sure they didn’t have much of a budget to work with.

Having caught two of the five shows by Mr. McCasland this month at the Clarion Theater, now I wish I had seen them all. Steven Carl McCasland is definitely a playwright to watch!

- Jean Tait -