Take it to Extremities

At first glance, the play Extremities is a tale of a confused 20-year-old female who has nothing better to do than prance around her house in her pajamas and robe. Moments later, as a young man enters the house, the audience senses attraction, tension, and confusion between the stranger and female, all at the same time. Their relationship, which takes a course of only a few hours, is the focus of the play Extremities.

The stage setup is simple: a bed, a fireplace, a door, no backdrop, and little technicality with the lighting.

In this pure setting, the interactions among the actors are the basis of the drama that ensues, as if this rape story could take place anywhere.

Extremities was written by William Mastrosimone in the 1980s. Jennifer Mingucci, A&S '04, directed this melodramatic play in an acerbic, yet poignant style. The 20-year-old female named Marjorie, played by Sarah Nowalk, A&S '06, adds to the drama with her expression and stance. Her body movement and language are key aspects of Extremities as her vulnerability, vulgarity, weakness, and strength are expressed with more than just words.

The stranger who attempts to rape Marjorie, Robert, played by Evan Powell, A&S '07, creates his own aura of fear and potency through his tone and action as well. Through the obstinacy of these two protagonists, the tension in Mastosimone's writing combined with the students' acting makes the feelings last.

The main theme of Extremities is rape and the power struggle between rapist and victim. While the play seems as if it could only portray so much of the intense emotions of rape, other important factors of confusion and sympathy are included with the entrance of Marjorie's roommates Terry, played by Kristen Osborne, A&S '04, and Patricia, played by Krista D'Agostino, A&S '05.

Broader perspectives of rape, revenge, and repercussions of the law are intertwined to make the story a little too convoluted.

The aptitude of all four actors in Extremities is easily perceived, especially that of Powell, as his every word creates an emotion of trepidation for the audience.

The play is slightly reminiscent of the movie Primal Fear, in which what may seem innocent and true is evil and false. Edward Norton's character in the film is just as manipulative as Robert, who is referred to as "the animal."

Extremities is an emotionally provocative drama, whether the audience member is female or male, because it is real. It feels like a true story, which it may as well be, since rape is not an infrequent occurrence. It was, overall, a well-directed, excellently performed story that started off as a simple day in a 20-year-old's life.