Theatre Review: 'Dream House' at Long Wharf Theatre. I'm Sold
The show: “Dream House” by Eliana Pipes at Main Stage of Long Wharf Theatre
Info: Runs through April 3. Running time is one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Whats it about?: Following the death of their mother after a long illness, two adult Latinx sisters, Patricia and Julia Castillo, volunteer to participate in a "Flip It and Sell It”-type of home improvement TV reality show that will assist them in renovating and marketing their pleasant family home which is in a neighborhood that is being gentrified. It’s ca-ching time — but at a price that neither expected.
There are mixed emotions and a complicated history between them: Patricia cared for their ailing mother while Julia other long ago moved away from home and rarely re-connected.
Now pregnant Julia is suddenly feeling reconnected to her roots — not to mention guilty — and having second thoughts while career oriented Patricia can’t wait to make a killing in the closing. Spurred by a sometimes sympathetic, sometimes demonic TV host, Tessa Westbrook, the makeover process, delivered by a silent-but-efficient crew, sparks new feelings of heritage, pride, and resentment. Will they tear away at the fabric of their family home for a big sale that they both so desperately want? Or…?
Echoes of “The Piano Lesson?” Ah, not quite. Because it’s not a question of whether to sell or not but rather the very mixed feelings that come with the questions of identity, honor, and duty in a bi and multi-cultural world.
Oh, so it’s another lesson play : Not at all. Pipes has avoided easy sentiment and created complex characters that grapple with some dicey issues without good guys or bad, winners or losers. Even the TV host (deftly played by Marianna McClellan) is not the character you imagine at first. Laurie Woolery directs with just the right balance of real and “reality” and both Renata Eastlick as Patricia and Darilyn Castillo as Julia give well-crafted, emotionally grounded performances, even as the play turns a bit weird.
Weird, you say? Well, , I don’t want to give too much away by playwright Pipes — who shows great talent here — goes wonderfully dark and surreal, taking what could but a lame spoof with a smidgen of social relevance and making an original, surprising, entertaining dream of a play
Who will like it?: Those who like clever, engaging, relevant — and very entertaining theater. And those who went through a remodeling — and survived.
Who won’t?: Those who went though remodeling -- and didn't survive.
For the kids?: Smart teens might relate to generational dynamic, sibling rivalry and other family and heritage issues. Plus, like, you know, it’s reality TV.
Critical takeaway :
Thoughts on leaving the (wonderful outdoor surface level) parking lot?: I felt a bit of a pang knowing that this will be the penultimate show that I will see at Long Wharf Theatre’s home at the New Haven Food Terminal after 57 years (and 45 years that’s I‘ve been seeing shows there). Thankfully this production and “The Chinese Lady” earlier this season were two of my favorite plays and productions in Connecticut recently. Here’s hoping this long-running Long Wharf ends as well.