PICCOLO’S Stelle di Domani series is part of the College of Charleston Theater Department and produces several student acted plays during the theater-saturated Piccolo Spoleto.
Set in Texas in the 1970s, James McLure’s Lone Star is a one-act tragicomic glimpse into a mucked up life that runs further amuck one Friday night behind Angel’s Bar where a three-man ensemble is hanging out. We are witness to late-night beer swilling and bantering where two brothers (one more simple-minded than the other) pontificate about their world.
The action, though insubstantial, is driven by Roy who has returned home from Vietnam only to find that things are not the way he left them; and where he is going remains to be seen. Spencer Jones gives a solid performance where he is best in his more explosive moments when Roy’s anger and confusion come through. Spencer is a rising star to watch, and I am sure he will bring great things to the stage.
Matthew Giedraitis is believable as the not-all-there Ray with a lumbering physicality and a comic highpoint in his rendition of “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” The third character of Cleitis is aptly played by Patrick Ruff as the nerdy politico wannabe who blames the wreck of Ray’s beloved 1959 pink Thunderbird on Ray, who has enough blame when we find out he has made another big mistake. The tension between the men could be more consistent, but the mood works well overall.
Directed by Stephen McCalla, the show is smartly paced and the three men move with confidence through Kyle Coleman’s well designed set of strewn beer bottles and the proverbial back seat of a car minus the car. McLure’s play is an entertaining slice of southern life at a turning point along the lives of its characters where the outcome is up for grabs. The play will run June 9 through June 12 at Theater 220 at the College of Charleston.