A matter of life and death A matter of life and death (October 01, 2004)

Bus Barn shines in effective adaptation of 'Wit'

By Jeanie Forte

"Wit," the only play Margaret Edson has written, won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 and also gave actress Judith Light her signature role on Broadway for several years. The remarkable script was then adapted into an Emmy-winning HBO movie starring Emma Thompson and directed by Mike Nichols, reaching an even wider audience in seemingly its definitive interpretation.

But this play about dying has life in it yet, in its reflection on mortality and how we face it.

Whether you've seen the play or HBO movie before, you will want to see Sondra Putnam in the production currently playing the Bus Barn Stage Company in Los Altos. It's a fine rendering of the play overall, with Putnam shining in the lead role.

Putnam plays Vivian Bearing, a professor of 17th-century poetry specializing in the "Holy Sonnets" by John Donne. Intellect is everything to Vivian -- which is why, when she is diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer ("there is no stage five"), she agrees to undergo aggressive chemotherapy in the name of research.

"You must be very tough," her doctor tells her, and Vivian delivers toughness in spades. In addition, Vivian's erudite wit and ironic humor keep both her and her audience from sinking into the maudlin. There is a surprising amount of laughter in the script, which is needed to counterbalance the heavy subject and the dehumanizing clinical procedures Vivian must undergo.

Donne's sonnets also figure throughout, particularly his famous "Death be not proud," and his poetic musings on mortality and salvation.

As her treatment and her cancer progress, Vivian finds that what she needs most isn't toughness, but human kindness, in a touch or a word, a connection sorely lacking in her rationally-constructed world. With no family or friends, Vivian looks for that kindness in the small gestures and caring considerations of near-strangers. Her journey to death enables her discovery of a kind of life that she never knew before, which leads her to re-examine her priorities.

Putnam does a superb turn as Vivian, capturing the academic's wry humor and arrogance as well as her fears and growing vulnerability. Her small, wiry frame adds to the portrait, and she actually gives the illusion of going from robustness to frailty in the course of 90 minutes onstage. The role, if overplayed, can easily become melodramatic or less than sympathetic.

Putnam and director Vickie Rozell have hit the right combination, giving the character the requisite egotism mixed with an endearing sensibility and a touching poignancy.

The rest of the ensemble ably assists Putnam. Dirk Leatherman as Dr. Kelekian is suitably detached and clinical. His assistant, Jason, devoid of bedside manner, is adequately delivered by Brian Benston, although I would have liked to see more softening in his demeanor over time to make the ending more believable.

Ann Kuchins is effective and affecting as Vivian's mentor, Professor Ashford; her scene in the hospital room is beautifully simple and understated. Sandra Jardin plays Susie, Vivian's primary nurse, with a straightforward approach -- both caring and professional -- that generally works quite well, but again I would have liked seeing even more connection develop between her and Vivian.

The cast is rounded out by four clinicians -- Jeremy Anderson, Danielle Perata, David Schreiber and Amy Schwab -- who aptly and believably fill a variety of roles. An appropriately spare set allows for convincing authenticity and flexibility, and the lighting is nicely white and clinical, almost fluorescent. Costuming provides realistic uniforms for the hospital settings, and fittingly suits the other characters.

Overall, Putnam's moving performance transcends any minor flaws in the production, providing a sterling example of how community theater can rival the professional. Put the right actor in the right role, give her the right mixture of support and freedom, and allow for the magic of a powerful script to take effect -- Edson's meditation on death and humanity receives another fine interpretation at the Bus Barn.

Information

What: Bus Barn Theater presents "Wit" by Margaret Edson.

Where: Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos

When: Through Oct. 9. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sunday at 3 p.m.

Cost: $25 Thursday through Saturday. $20 Sunday.

Call: 941-0551 or visit www.busbarn.org

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