Barn Players "Marvin's Room" review by JLin

Don't Waste Your Life, See This Show!

Rating: 5

Marvin's Room

The Barn Players, Inc.

Marvin's Room at The Barn Players in Mission, KS is nothing short of a homerun.  I know that things are hectic this week with all of the Fringe shows, but you MUST find time in your schedule to see this show.

Scott McPherson's play covers some pretty heavy subjects: dysfunctional families, teenage delinquency, cancer, and death.  The most prominent theme, however, is LOVE.  This message of love makes the audience laugh, cry, and contemplate their own lives and deaths.

When I walked into the theatre my breath was taken away by Doug Schroeder's set.  It was absolutely beautiful and yet incredibly simple, utilizing cool colors and basic shapes.  Michael Ong's projections were a perfect complement to the set, showing up in sections that corresponded with the shapes on stage.

Director Eric Magnus presented a brilliantly cast production with each actor being well suited to their role.  The two shining stars were Jennifer Coville (Bessie) and Josh Brady (Hank), and the two scenes in which they are alone on stage were most definitely the highlight of the performance.  Their relationship is that of an aunt and 17-year-old nephew who have just met for the first time.  Bessie is trying to encourage Hank in ways that her sister Lee (Andrea James) could not, and the result is a reformed young man.  Another terrific scene is when Bessie and Lee are talking in the middle of the night and Bessie finally shows her vulnerability.  Coville's performance had me in tears before I even realized I was crying.

This is a show you cannot miss.  They close on August 7th so make sure you mark it on your calendar.  It is not a show for the whole family so leave the kids (or any other patrons who get the giggles at inappropriate times) at home.

Congrats to the cast and crew of Marvin's Room.  5 out of 5 stars.