Lakewood play shows stark changes and dark themes

As usual, things at The Edge Theater are, well, edgy. This play is no exception. Arlene (Missy Moore) has just been released from prison and is anxious to get her life on track in the real world. She has made many changes during her incarceration. She has gone from being a crazy, out-of-control, enraged wild woman to a cooperative, helpful and responsible inmate.

From time to time, she has vivid flashbacks of her previous behavior when she was known as “Arlie” (Zandra Prestia Turner) and had fits of rage and screamed and cursed the guards. One of the guards, Bennie (Robert Michael Sanders), found a way to get around her wild behavior. She turned into a model prisoner when he offered her a stick of gum.

After her release from prison, Arlene, as she now insists on being called, returns to her rundown apartment with plans to begin a new, purposeful life. Bennie, the guard, has resigned his job and drives Arlene back home, which is in another state. Bennie wants to be much more than friends and proceeds to assault her.

Her mother (Erica Sarzin-Borillo) shows up and nothing Arlene does is right by her mother. She meets a new friend, Ruby (Kelly Uhlenhopp), who also lives in the apartment building. Before she went to prison, she had a pimp named Carl (Kent Randell), who now shows up on the scene wanting to start right back where they left off. Needless to say, Arlene wants no part of her past life and tries to get Carl to leave. Ruby steps in and stands up to Carl, who actually backs down.

It is clear that Arlene is being pulled toward her old ways. The interaction between the characters is stunning and the acting impeccable. As always, the crew at The Edge does a masterful job of making the small space seem much larger than it actually is. This time, Arlene’s apartment occupies the majority of the stage while a two-story “prison” where “Arlie” rages takes up a much smaller space.

The contrast between Arlene and “Arlie” is stark and dramatic. Arlene has made profound changes in her life, thanks largely to the prison chaplain who befriends her before he is moved to another assignment. Before he leaves, he asks one of the guards to give the emerging Arlene a picture of a painting of Jesus, which she cherishes and hangs on her apartment wall as soon as she gets home.

Rick Yaconis directs the action with a deft hand.

“Getting Out” plays through April 3 at The Edge Theater, 1560 Teller St., Suite 200, in Lakewood. There is ample free parking on-site. Performances are on weekends. For tickets, call 303-232-0363 or at www.theedgetheater.com.

This gripping and touching play is definitely worth seeing.

Columnist Harriet Hunter Ford may be reached at hhunterford@gmail.com.