NEW YORK—Harsh, painful, and surprisingly lyrical, Ariel Dorfman's Widows asks how a person can put the horror of war behind them before the dead are put to rest.
After eight years of conflict in an unnamed country, the army has restored order. But in one impoverished village, painful echoes still linger. All the men here have long since vanished, most arrested and never heard from again.
Now, an old woman, Sofia Fuentes (Ching Valdes-Aran), keeps a lonely vigil in memory of her missing family. The rest of the women, most of whom refuse to talk about the war, want no part of her actions, all the while deluding themselves that their menfolk are returning.
This status quo comes to a halt when a body, so disfigured it's unrecognizable, is found in the river. This discovery will mean an inquest and once that begins, the next of kin will start asking how this person was killed as well as why and by whom, opening up a can of worms the authorities do not want to touch.
This is especially true for the Captain (Mark Alhadeff), currently in command of the district and determined to drag the valley and its inhabitants into the 21st Century—a feat he feels can only be achieved by forgetting past actions and moving on.
But soon a second body appears—this one claimed by 36 different women—each wanting a sense of closure and justice.
Dorfman has crafted a moving tale of individuals against oppression, as well as a parable about the land itself. Like the villagers, the land has been desecrated and destroyed and until it is repaired, it can have no peace.
Serving as the nexus for the story is Sophia, a role brilliantly portrayed by Valdes-Aran. Over the course of the play we see the character change in size and stature from a frail, ridiculed, old woman to one of power and who commands respect, as she becomes the voice of the women's pain and determination.
Other standouts among the strong cast include Alhadeff's portrayal of the Captain, a man who wants to be seen as a reformer, but who quickly finds his command spinning out of control and who must employ the very methods he supposedly despises.
Also quite good is Sean J. Moran as Sophia's young grandson, who's forced to see things no child should ever imagine; Guiesseppe Jones as the brutal, and all-too realistic, Lieutenant; and James Saba as a freed hostage who quietly and terrifyingly relates some of his experiences in captivity.
The story and performances are helped immeasurably through the strong direction by Hal Brooks. Costumes by Kimberly Glennon are good and the set by Wilson Chin is excellent.
Also in the cast are Josh Alexander, Veronica Cruz, Sam Dingman, Sarah Nina Hayon, Mercedes Herrero, Ana Cruz Kayne, Ephraim Lopez, Melissa Miller, Gita Reddy, Ana Suiu, Joaquin Torres, Audrey Lynn Weston and Yan Xi.
(The show contains some nudity and may not be suitable for children.)
Widows
Presented by Reverie Productions
59e59 Theaters, 59 East 59th Street
Tickets: 212-279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com
Information: www.59e59.org
Closes: Feb. 3, 2008
Running Time: Approximately 2 Hours, 15 Minutes
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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