Theater Review—

A Spirited ‘Marigolds’ Production By Town Players

By Julie Stern

Paul Zindel is known as the author of prize-winning novels for young adults, the serious kind of books that deal with alienated, mildly screwed up kids with whom the alienated reader can identify. The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-on-the-Moon Marigolds comes from that genre, but it is now a play for adult audiences as well as high schoolers, dealing with such traditional adolescent issues as sibling rivalry, a dysfunctional family, and oh, a science fair competition for which the heroine is being coached by her biology teacher.

In Town Players’ current production of the Zindel drama, Caroline Winschel portrays Tillie Hunsicker, the long-suffering heroine who is captivated by the idea of the atom and has spent months nurturing irradiated seeds and watching them turn into remarkable marigolds. Her devotion to science comes in spite of the squalor of her surroundings — a shabby “apartment” made from what had been her grandfather’s grocery store, and the destructive craziness of her mother.

Lori Peck is Beatrice Hunsicker, a chain-smoking, bourbon-belting harridan who survives by boarding a helpless old woman. Beatrice bitterly resents Tillie’s academic success and does everything she can to undermine her younger daughter, keeping her out of school and threatening to kill her pet rabbit.

She is kinder to Ruth, the brash older sister who gets through school on tight sweaters and wisecracks, who follows her mother’s lead in picking on Tillie. As the school year progresses and Tillie’s experiment wins her a place as a finalist in the city competition, Ruth, beautifully played by Beth English, begins to believe in her sister and take pride in her achievement, leading to a showdown with Beatrice.

This is a mother who is so bitter and self absorbed that she is jealous of everyone, who strikes out with thoughtless rage at anyone in reach, including the hapless “nanny” her silent boarder.

Suzanne Kinnear directs, getting spirited performances from her cast.

(Performances of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-on-the-Moon Marigolds continues Friday and Saturday evenings through November 24 at The Little Theater, Orchard Hill Road in Newtown. Curtain is 8 pm. There will be a 2 pm matinee on Sunday, November 18. Call 270-9144 for reservations, ticket details or additional information.)