By Lynn Venhaus
After a lifetime together, Minnie and Clifford Habberdeen prefer to go gentle into that good night. They’re tired of raging against the dying of the light – and with good reason.
Although as a long-time married couple, they have bickered with each other, and been exasperated by their son, who has masterminded an endgame for the infirmed pair. Clifford’s dementia is only progressing, as is Minnie’s cancer. They have decided to check out together. Thus, “With” takes us through their plan of action.
Celebrated St. Louis playwright Carter W. Lewis’ original play pokes your heart and prods your mind, with his intelligent insight into the human condition, and the very human comedy that unfolds in relationships.
“With,” so titled to refer to the preposition used in the phrase “Death with Dignity,” is about life, big decisions, loss and pesky aggravations, as realized by the exceptional duo of Donna Weinsting and Whit Reichert.
Widely known and regarded as local treasures, the enterprising pair – both genial, generous performers – present an endearing master class of acting at the Gaslight Theatre. They have appeared in other works presented by St. Louis Actors’ Studio, but these portrayals may be their finest to date on that intimate stage.
As the husband and wife, they are comfortable with each other, and so natural in their roles that you feel like you know them – they’re your next-door neighbors, smiling and waving, and asking if you need some tomatoes, or your aunt and uncle, always arriving at family gatherings with warm hugs, a covered dish, and jokes.
Minnie and Cliff can’t imagine living without the other one yet acknowledge their patience is often put to the test as they deal with the minutiae of everyday living. Their foibles and frailties are apparent, and the stage veterans skillfully convey their concern and care, along with their finely tuned comic timing.
Because of the subject matter, and the dramatic requirements, Reichert and Weinsting tug at your heart as they depict a gamut of emotions in a genuine, not forced, way.
Annamaria Pileggi, a director who smartly depicts relationships in all their messy glory, has two gems to work with here, and she polishes them to shine brightly.
Lewis, a retired playwright-in-residence at Washington University, has had two of his one-act plays previously featured at STLAS’ LaBute New Play Festival, including “Percentage America” in 2017, a political comedy that won Best New Play from the St. Louis Theater Circle and had an off-Broadway run.
Lewis is the author of over 30 plays, which have been staged in over 150 productions. He is a two-time nominee for the American Theatre Critics Award and is known for such works as “Evie’s Waltz,” “While We Were Bowling,” and “Golf with Alan Shepard.”
With his keen ear for dialogue and sharp instincts regarding human behavior, Carter perceptively matches fascinating characters with thought-provoking topics that reflect modern society.
With an aging population, and the realities of how dementia and terminal illness affect quality of life, the points he brings up through the Habberdeens’ situation are relatable. Through the compassion of all involved in this production, “With” is impactful, bittersweet and deeply felt.
Not to get too much in the weeds, but currently, euthanasia – active ending of life – remains illegal, but physician-assisted death, known as medical aid in dying or “death with dignity,” is legal in 10 states: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
In these states, terminally ill adults can request a prescription from their doctor to end their lives, but they must self-administer a lethal dose of medication. They must be considered mentally competent to have made the voluntary decision.
In 1997, Oregon became the first state to pass a ballot initiative, Death with Dignity Act. In this scenario, their adult son has travelled to Oregon to obtain a lethal cocktail of pills. When he came home around the holidays, wrote out specific instructions and separated the doses into labeled plastic bags.
However, in their current off-kilter state, the couple can’t locate the list, although they have the medication at the ready. Their arrangements have gone awry, for they have spent January trying to wrap up their affairs, and the best-laid plans…
But of course, there is a blizzard raging outside, a rodent darting around the kitchen, the Christmas tree is only partially taken down, and they are dealing with their son’s recent untimely death. Nerves are fraying, their tone becomes frantic and desperate, and they cling to each other for support.
The overall chaotic environment in a once orderly home, inhabited by two senior citizens whose health is slipping, is artfully rendered by scenic designer Patrick Huber. His sharp eye for details is evident, along with Minnie’s knickknacks, decorative kitchen pieces, and magnets on the refrigerator.
Propmaster Emma Glose has added to that look with the brick-a-brack of an advanced-age couple’s modest home to depict their cozy lifestyle.
Huber’s lighting design is customarily on point, as is the sound design. Costume designer Teresa Doggett has outfitted them in casual attire that seniors wear around the house in winter.
“With” is a one-act, 75-minute production that has meaningful things to say, but also feel. Through this uncomplicated staging, two absolute masters of their craft impart Lewis’ razor-sharp wit and uncanny understanding of a married couple’s end of the road with grace and dignity.
St. Louis Actors’ Studio presents “With” April 4 to 20, with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle Avenue. Seating is general admission, and tickets are available via Ticketmaster or at the theater box office one hour before showtime. For more information, visit stlas.org or email [email protected].
