Review: VWCT play not for faint-hearted

A. KOCH/for the Van Wert independent

Bruce Graham’s affecting family drama The Outgoing Tide rivals On Golden Pond and Driving Miss Daisy. It is not about happy, warm, fuzzy moments and circumstances, but like those two incredible plays, about life, death, and reconciliation.

The Outgoing Tide pulls the audience in from the moment it begins. This production is not for the faint-hearted and provides a hard dose of reality that hits home to so many people I know. George Dunster has taken a very delicate subject and brought it to life with this outstanding cast.

The play centers on an elderly couple, Gunner (Rick Workman) and Peg (Shelley Dineen), and their only child, Jack (Steve Lane). Gunner has Alzheimer’s, which is progressing and becoming increasingly obvious to those around him. Peg would like to move to an assisted living facility because being Gunner’s caretaker is becoming difficult: he’s confused, disoriented, and forgetful and she’s already locking the doors at night to stop him from running away.

Peg’s reasoning: in an assisted-living setting she would have the necessary resources to take care of her husband herself for as long as she could. Enter Jack, their only child, in the process of a divorce and in a seemingly no-win situation with his parents.

From the beginning of this play, the very gifted cast draws the audience in — not only to the story, but convincingly portrays each character with precision, humor, while commanding affection and respect for the characters.

The actors take this production and expertly give voice to an issue that few people want to talk about, but, unfortunately, many are dealing with on a daily basis. Anyone who has dealt with a loved one’s slide into dementia may find this production hits close to home.

Bring plenty of tissues — this is a heart-wrenching story brought to life by three incredibly talented actors orchestrated by Dunster, the maestro himself. Area residents do not want to miss this production.

Van Wert Civic Theatre has chosen a powerful production to close its season; I only wonder what next year’s season brings (those interested can find out in the program, another reason not to miss this one).

Call the box office Monday through Saturday, 419.238.9689 and make reservations now. Remaining showtimes are this Thursday through Saturday, starting at 8 p.m., and a matinee this coming Sunday, starting at 2 in the afternoon.