…I would’ve definitely heard it in the post-apocalyptic world created by playwright Henry Murray in the world premiere of Treefall presented by Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater.
If this blog comes off as a plug for Murray’s work, so be it. I won’t shy away from recommending this highly provocative, thought-provoking original piece, although it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It is certainly understandable why director/producer/artistic director John Perrin Flynn fell in love with Treefall and stated it was instrumental in the founding of his theatre company. That kind of passion and belief invigorates me. “Rumble, young man, rumble.”
I have an affinity for original plays. While most world premieres fall short in their attempt to pull you into the world swirling about in the playwright’s head and then on to the stage, I still applaud their efforts. We need more voices to be heard in the Los Angeles theatre scene. We need to hear and see what brews underneath the seemingly calm, mundane exterior of what some call a plastic society otherwise known as La-La Land or the “same ole, same ole” we call life.
So what piqued my interest in Treefall? Flynn put together a strong cast and design team to enhance the telling of the story; nevertheless, major credit has to go to Murray, for he inspired them with his words. Without him, everyone else could’ve stayed home and watched TV. Yet all of the elements come together into a cohesive whole in this tale of unrelated youngsters in a surrogate family surviving on limited resources in a mountain cabin years after a series of ecological events alter civilization as we know it. I half-expected a Twinkie to make an appearance since we know that cream-filled cake will survive any disaster.
Without giving away too much, this is what spoke to me. Emerging primal urges clash head on with the sifting sand of control. Plus any time you mesh human sexuality and its own unique issues of discovery with the core essence of “being,” it’s a recipe for its own climate change. With that happening, nothing can remain the same nor should it.
Murray shows how a shaky triangular living situation presents its own particular familial issues as in “two is company, three is a crowd and four blows up the room.” It is this fourth person, Bug, who frees the playwright and the other characters to explore, develop and grow. The role-playing youngsters have cornered themselves between four walls, and a nagging urge within August presses him to remove the shackles placed upon him - albeit self-imposed.
What I also appreciated was Murray’s relational focus - an internal war beyond the external effects of the environmental collapse. For each of the characters, they are faced with their own meanings for existence. While it may elude some, it confirms the yearnings of others. Is it a message play? Not necessarily. Murray doesn’t harp on what we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve done before this mess. There is no “REPENT” message in his play. His focus is on the here and now - actions, reactions and consequences. It is the challenge of change and what occurs when it’s not welcomed by all. Adapt and survive; remain the oak and fall.
I had a chance to briefly chat with Murray about Treefall and what inspired him. While he has always been concerned about the environment, it was an article in The New Yorker that caught his eye; an image that actually frightened him. Yet the truest starting point for him was a vision he had about a boy lying down on the floor holding a naked doll - confused by the sexuality of the doll and pained by the deadly sunlight. That vision was startling and disturbing to Murray, which led to more questions and eventually the play itself. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!! Thank goodness he had the wherewithal to follow-through with his vision and flesh out a full-length play with some meat on it.
In questioning Murray about other particular elements that caught my attention - specifically Biblical references - he told me that some were intentional while others were by chance. His favorite is a Noah’s ark reference between Craig and Flynn that involves Superman, a spaceship, animals boarding it two by two, including dinosaurs. Throw in some Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) with a bit of Greek drama of a boy’s attraction to his father and Murray covers some expansive territory; yet all fully believable.
There is so much more that I could write about Murray’s play and what he shared with me, but then I’d be writing something longer than what I usually expect in a blog. If you have time, go see this production at the Rogue Machine, which is scheduled to close on September 6th with a possible extension. Enjoy a voice that should be heard with a cast of characters who come to life and will touch your heart and mind. As for Murray,…write on, sir, write on!!!
