Theater Review—

‘Mauritius,’ Much Gentler Than Mamet, Offers A Highly Enjoyable Evening

By Julie Stern

NEW MILFORD — American Buffalo, David Mamet’s first big theatrical success, deals with a trio of bumbling losers as they hatch plans to steal a rare coin that they believe will make them rich. Echoes of this abound in Theresa Rebeck’s caper comedy Mauritius, currently on stage at New Milford’s TheatreWorks.

From the squalid stamp store with Phillip the pasty-faced dealer hunched over his countertop examining his wares and the crude language to the torrent of greed unleashed by the prospect of a tiny useless object being worth untold millions to a collector, it is hard not to think of Mamet.

Happily, though, Rebeck’s play is both kinder and funnier than its predecessor. The presence of the two young women who inherited the collection containing the rare misprinted Mauritius Post Office stamps adds drama and complexity to the story, and gifted director Sonnie Osborne has gotten bravura performances from her five member cast, making for a highly enjoyable evening.

Half-sisters Jackie and Mary were raised separately. Jackie, the younger and tougher of the pair, grew up in poverty after their mother made some “bad decisions” and fell on hard times. On her deathbed, their mother gave Jackie a stamp album that she promised might be worth some money. But Mary, who was taken in by her paternal grandparents after her father died, claims that the stamps are hers, that they represent a bond between her and her grandfather, a hobby they lovingly shared together.

When Jackie wants to sell the stamps, Mary refuses, claiming that the meaning of the collection lies in the love and history and knowledge behind them. Mary, who was given a luxury education by her grandparents, sees beauty in the idea of Mauritius as a tropical paradise, where peaceful beaches are ringed by sparkling water. Jackie, who nursed her mother through her final illness alone, is tempted by the vision of a real beach where she can take a sorely needed vacation.

Against this pair are Dennis, a fast-talking operator who was hanging around Phillip’s store when Jackie brings the stamp album in to find out if it really is valuable, and Sterling, a sinister mystery man who is willing to go to any lengths to obtain the Mauritius stamps. Playing one sister against the other, Dennis hopes to broker a deal to help himself.

Rebeck’s plot entails multiple twists and turns, some violence, and complex motivations, in which pure greed, smoldering family resentments, and genuine appreciation for postage stamps all play some part. What really makes it effective, however, is the quality of the acting.

Aaron Kaplan, always a pleasure to watch on local stages, is at his truculent, assertive, but essentially charming, best in the role of Dennis. Arielle Uppaluri, currently a senior in the theater program at SUNY Purchase, is like a young Sandra Bullock — tough, perky, and resilient. Viv Berger does a fine job as Sterling, able to switch instantly from frighteningly menacing to thoughtfully perplexed .

Tracy Hurd is haughty and insufferable as the pontificating Mary, but she gives her character just enough nuance that we really can’t be sure of her motives.

Similarly, Mike Ritts brings depth to the role of Phillip, who can be rude, brusque and supercilious, but is capable of surprising moves.

In short, the play is fun for a summer evening, especially when it is given the kind of professional interpretation that TheatreWorks offers. Whatever they do, they do well, and we are all the better off for it.

(Performances continue weekends until June 26; see the Enjoy calendar for performance and ticket details.

This show is recommended for mature audiences.)