The certainty of death and the joy of eating popsicles. 17th century poetry and pelvic exams. This curious array of topics finds its way onstage in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit, written by Georgetown graduate Margaret Edson (GRD ‘92) and presented by Mask & Bauble Dramatic Society. With a small cast of nine and a huge dose of reality, this contemporary piece tackles life’s greatest questions by examining a fifty year-old woman’s ordeal with cancer.
That woman, Vivian, played magnificently by Sarah Sexton (CAS ‘07), is more than just the leading character. She oscillates between narrator, commentator, director and critic of the tragic story being played out, the story of her own demise. The entire script seems at times more like a darkly humorous monologue than a play, with the occasional interruption of the secondary characters into Vivian’s carefully planned out lecture.
Formerly a cruel professor of literature now in the final stage of ovarian cancer, Vivian finds herself succumbing to the limitations of her own body. The play offers a highly detailed portrayal of the different facets of cancer and provides significant medical information. Despite brief moments of overacting, Sexton, who made the brave move of shaving her head, masters the necessary vulnerability of her character while remaining confident in a flimsy hospital gown, her only costume.
Although the lead character holds a predominant role in the action, the secondary characters bring depth and controversy to her role, as each represents the readily accessible virtues and faults of humanity. Kristin Brudy (CAS ‘06) pulls off her role as E.M. Ashford seemingly without effort, as a patient albeit somewhat disconcerted mentor.
Another dynamic relationship is that between compassionate nurse Susie Monahan, played by Kat Cox (CAS ‘04), and research-obsessed Dr. Jason Posner, played by Brian St. Clair (SFS ‘07). These two rarely appear onstage without one another, as coworkers who both assist and oppose each other. In their embodiment of the debate between the human and the scientific aspects of medicine, Cox and St. Clair’s chemistry is captivating.
Nursing and pre-med students will not be the only audience members able to relate, because the play’s amusing cynicism speaks to anyone who has set foot in a hospital. The chief doctor, Harvey Kelekian, (Ted Wold, CAS ‘05) perfectly portrays professional emotional detachment, as do his nameless residents. These three actors also play Vivian’s students in a series of flashbacks to college, which show her previous disregard for human relationships, as she chastises and mocks her entire class without regret.
The production staff does a flawless job, executing a perfect pattern of sound and light cues, stage rotation, and precise props. The ingenious revolving stage provides a smooth transition between scenes and heightens the viewer’s curiosity. The effectiveness of the design lies in its ability to produce the needed visual landscape without distracting from the dialogue.
The play provides more than just the clever amusement that its title indicates, as it dwells on the battle between intellect and emotion, a fair reminder of the depth of human needs beyond academia. The complex interplay of fear, mortality, and humor is revealed in all its intensity thanks to the devoted direction of Isaiah M. Wooden (CAS ‘04).
After having laughed through the show, you’ll catch yourself, realizing you’ve been laughing at someone’s death. If that depressing fact doesn’t strike you by the time the curtain closes, you’ll at least leave scratching your head over the meaning of dozens of medical terms.
Wit will be performed in Poulton Hall April 15-17 & 21-24 at 8p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for the general public.
