REVIEW Tender 'Silent Night' impresses

Bittersweet drama proves everyone needs someone with whom to remember things.
By MARGARET NERY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Stores are stocked with all the material paraphernalia associated with the celebration of Christmas. Families are planning meals, making travel arrangements and polishing silverware in preparation for a time of sharing warmth, love and the joy of the season.
However, the Victorian Players thoughtfully focused on another aspect of the holiday -- loneliness, which is often a scourge of the season.
During a performance of "Silent Night, Lonely Night" on Thursday night at the Little Theatre Off Spring Commons, the imaginative troupe presented a stirring look at the problem and offered a ray of hope to the unhappy as they proved love is the right solution.
Written by Robert Anderson and effectively interpreted and directed by Jean McClure Kelty, the play centered around a lonely couple who are brought together Christmas Eve.
An imaginatively constructed and decorated New England Inn provides the setting for the bittersweet, psychological story as it is brought vividly to life by Marilyn Higgins, Mac Michael, Pat Schauweker, Heather Matyi and John Dalbec.
Up to the task
In one of her most challenging roles, Higgins effectively portrays Katherine, a distraught housewife who is separated from her philandering husband. In her loneliness, she cries out for help.
Coming to her aid is another resident at the inn, a man named John, (perfectly portrayed by Mac Michael). He too is alone, and although lonely, is still very much in love with his mentally ill wife who seldom even recognizes him.
The couple are drawn together on Christmas Eve and take comfort in sharing some happiness together while facing a bleak future.
Vulnerable and depressed, they tell each other their most intimate secrets, reveal how they fell in love and admit that although separated, each is still in love. And they realize they still need "that special someone to remember things with."
Although hesitant, they ultimately find temporary solace in each other's arms.
Among friends
The couple are catered to and cared for by the calm, compassionate Mrs. Harcourt (Pat Schauweker). They find moments of happiness when they befriend charming newlyweds, Janet (the delightful Heather Matyi) who is enthusiastic about everything, and her patient, doting husband, Philip (John Dalbec).
Rounding out the cast as Katherine's young son, Jerry, is Melissa Johnson.
"Silent Night, Lonely Night" is basically an emotion-filled "talk" show that stresses the importance of loving and being loved.
Instead of merely rehashing a play that is all too familiar, this innovative little theater troupe has once again gone off the beaten path, daring to present this lesser-known but impressive holiday season love story.