Simple human dignity, responsibilities to one's family, and the need to sometimes put personal priorities first. These topics are explored in Lucy Thurber's brilliant ensemble work, "Scarcity."
Set in rural Massachusetts, "Scarcity" centers on a dysfunctional family at the end of their financial rope. Subsisting on food stamps and the salary of wife Martha (Kirsten Johnston). Her husband Herb's (Michael T. Weiss) main occupation seems to be getting into drunken brawls and being brought home by either their 16 year-old son Billy (Jesse Eisenberg) or Martha's cousin Louie (Todd Weeks) who happens to be a cop.
Billy, who's quite smart for his age, has been accepted to a prestigious local school. Helped by a young teacher named Ellen (Maggie Kiley), he seems to be on the fast track out of this life, as does 11 year-old sister Rachel (Meredith Brandt), who hopes to go to Billy's school once she's older.
What makes the play stand out is Thurber's gift for making the situations and characters seem so real. Just about every person has major issues bubbling beneath the surface. From Billy, who's fast developing an abusive personality; to Ellen, whose interest in Billy may be more than educational; to Martha who loves her husband dearly but is also an enabler of his alcoholic lifestyle. We feel and sympathize with their despair, confusion, frustration, and pain. The most poignant moments can be seen on Rachel's face and attitude, knowing that if Billy does manage to get away from the family she'll be left all alone.
Interestingly it's the people who on the surface seem better off that are more disconnected from reality. Louie may help pay the family's bills, (an open secret to everyone) but he also wants to have an affair with Martha, even though both are married. Meanwhile Louie's wife (Miriam Shor) rages about her husband's actions, especially since she's done (in her eyes) everything possible to be a good spouse. As for Ellen, she has a naive and holier-than-thou condescending attitude as she belittles people who have a much clearer idea of what's going on around them than she ever will.
Casting is so important in a work like this, and here it is excellent down the line (Johnson, Weiss and Kiley are the standouts), as is Jackson Gay's direction, which keeps the action flowing smoothly and doesn't allow a single wasted moment or scene. Walt Spangler's sets expertly capture the "second hand" feel of the family home, and the costumes by Ilona Somogyi are also quite good.
"Scarcity" shows the need to know who and what you are before thinking of what you can be. Well-written, acted, and executed, this one is a triumph for all concerned.
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