Part of FringeNYC: Three women bound by blood and tradition. One community in dire straits. Can a centuries-old rite mend the ills of a backwater Appalachian town? Potent and haunting, Kerrmoor straps you in, and you’re off until the bloody end. More…
Categories: Drama, National. From Grrl Parts Productions in association with Interrobang Theatre. Written by Susan McCully. Directed by Eve Muson.
FROM THE ARTIST:
"I like to think that if William Faulkner came back as a middle-aged lesbian who transplanted to Baltimore, he would have written this play," says playwright Susan McCully. "I set out to write an Appalachian Greek Tragedy, a play that presents an intimate family portrait of isolated, white rural America. The play is about where I grew up, surrounded by people who exude nobility, strength and sacrifice, but at the same time are insular and xenophobic. It’s a dangerous mix. I wanted to tell the awful truth about this racist and sexist culture that shaped me. The easy and comfortable path is to disavow these ugly traits. By writing 'Kerrmoor', I’ve attempted to embrace my people, not to celebrate them, but to explore the cost of glorifying a certain kind of rural American mythology."
"A stylish coproduction...Susan McCully opens a Stephen King-ish window into a forbidding world, painting a creepy portrait of 'prideful insularity.'" —Baltimore Sun
"Strange, haunting, beautiful, and moving. Kerrmoor is great theatre. I highly recommend it." —What Weekly
"Captivating…a potent, haunting play." —DC Metro Theatre Arts
"McCully’s play is vivid and visceral…a colossal experience." —TheatreBloom
"Fascinating…an impressive production and a Charm City Fringe must-see show." —The Bad Oracle
See it if you want to see a riveting modern Greek tragedy that tugs at your heart strings
Don't see it if you don't want a slow build or slightly repetitive dialogue
See it if you think that being confused and intelligent are one and the same.
Don't see it if Program notes say the playwright has a PhD in something or other and it shows - it's a bunch of unintelligible mumbling with no purpose.
See it if You like plays with roots deep in history and folklore, rituals examined and revisited.
Don't see it if You don't like dark explorations of people trying to escape from the past.
See it if you like interesting stories about ritualistic people
Don't see it if you want fast paced edgy theatre
See it if you enjoy a slowly spun tale that drives towards an unavoidable conclusion, but you can remain hopeful that escape is possible
Don't see it if You want a fast pace or scares or action in your thrillers; you can't bear dialects
See it if you are interested in antiquated belief systems and how they can drive communities to commit unbelievable atrocities.
Don't see it if you are squeamish about backwoods accents or are offended by antiquated belief systems that are based in legend.
See it if For the great acting, the strong female characters and the intriguing story line.
Don't see it if You can't forgive some repetitious dialogue.
See it if You have a taste for smart politically relevant theatre focused on female characters
Don't see it if You like to see theatre that requires little/no work from the audience. You have to "go there" with this play.
See it if you like interesting, thought-provoking plays about strong female relationships and American culture. You're down for some Gothic suspense.
Don't see it if it's hard for you to track a tricky play. The limp direction muffled needed plot points, and the design was too sedate for the material.
See it if You like M. Knight Shyamalan, and stories that are suspenseful, bring you into another world and make you think.
Don't see it if You like fairy tale endings
See it if You want to see 4 strong female characters, an original story, and some really solid acting. An intense ride.
Don't see it if You're looking for something light and funny... This is a play you have to commit to.
See it if If you like suspenseful, mythic,-!; thought-provoking plots.
Don't see it if If you like happily-ever-after endings .
See it if You want to see great acting. And if you like shows where you don't have a half hour of exposition in the beginning, they dice right in.
Don't see it if You don't like shows with a bit of a dark side