Desert Ensemble Theatre’s latest presentation is a premier staging of “ELLIE,” by Bruce Bonafede and craftily directed by Howard Shangraw. The play takes place in an apparently upscale living room, beautifully brought to life by Thomas L. Valach’s surprisingly minimalist set.
At the top of the show, we are introduced to Richard (Richard Marlow), who is helping his older brother, Warren (Abe Daniels), return home after a horrific accident which killed Warren’s wife, Ellie, and almost did the same for Warren, who is wracked with pain thanks to several broken ribs and a broken arm. What becomes evident quite quickly is how different these two brothers are. Where Warren is brash, loud, and assertive, Richard appears to be soft-spoken and hesitant, almost to the point one would describe as mousey. Warren doesn’t even try to hide his feelings of superiority and distain towards his brother. As the top-shelf scotch starts to be consumed that evening, especially by Warren, Richard’s inner-strength begins to emerge as his mild-mannered exterior defenses begin to melt from the warmth of the alcohol. Where Warren continues to be the gruff and bullying older brother, only louder and a bit more acerbic, Richard begins to resist the brotherly assaults and shed his usual sheepish reactions.
What follows in this well-written, two-person play is a series of secrets and confessions which cause some unexpected reactions from each of the brothers at various times. To prevent any real spoilers, let me just say that the play thunders down the track to what can be the only truly befitting end. Information throughout the two acts is meticulously dispensed so that each turn of direction the plot takes feels right and, even more importantly, natural.
Both cast members deliver solid performances. Mr. Marlow’s Richard, a part which the author says was written with the actor in mind, is like a flowering plant in spring as it goes from barren to green and then to full flower in the second act. His brother’s constant teasing and cynical comments finally lets Richard break out from the insulated cocoon in which he has put his life, only to emerge as a stronger, more independent ‘butterfly’ capable of doing things he never seemed able to do in the past. In the showier role of Warren, Mr. Daniels gives the part the perfect amount of bluster and bravura needed to make Warren feel like a 3-dimensional person without allowing him to cross the line into caricature. He gets that look in his eye of one who gets much pleasure from watching another person writhe in mental (or physical) anguish. What befalls Warren in the second act, as performed by Mr. Daniels, will make you believe that Karma IS a real bitch!
“ELLIE” is being produced by the Desert Ensemble Theatre at the former Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs now through March 17, 2024. For tickets or further information visit their website at www.DesertEnsembleTheatre.org.