'Admissions' At Square One Theatre In Stratford: A Review

Dedicated to the memory of Alice McMahon Bonvenuto

Stratford, CT - ADMISSIONS is a play from Joshua Harmon (BAD JEWS, SIGNIFICANT OTHER) that explodes the ideals and contradictions of liberal white America. Square One Theater Company in Stratford opened their 30th anniversary season with a riveting production of the piece on a rainy Thursday evening. The Square One performances, which mark the Connecticut premiere, are directed by Tom Holehan.

The thought-provoking play is set in the actual academic year 2015-2016 at Hillcrest Prep School in New Hampshire. Sherri Rosen-Mason (Janet Rathert of New Canaan) is the ultimate administrator, the head of the admissions department at the New England prep school, who is desperately fighting to diversify the student body. Alongside her husband Bill, the school’s headmaster, they’ve largely succeeded in bringing a stodgy institution into the twenty-first century. Those in academia can relate to many of the issues wrapped up what is a bold story of a family wrestling with white privilege.

The plot thickens when their only son Charlie (magnificently played by “newcomer” Robert Thomas Halliwell of Stratford) sets his sights on Yale University, and personal ambition collides with progressive values. These ninety minutes (presented without intermission) is a no-holds-barred look at all kinds of privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy.

Mr. Holehan, a Stratford resident, ensured that the five characters in the piece came to life authentically and that the engrossing story unfolded at a good pace. The set by Robert Mastroni did not overwhelm the smallish stage in this intimate space, but suggested the New Hampshire school and the home of the school administrators. Lighting by Clifford Fava was just enough and the costumes coordinated by Gaetana Barbano-Grinder fit the scenes. Sound design by Don Henault included the close harmony of the Yale Whiffenpoofs.

Ms. Rathert (WHITE GUY ON THE BUS, GOOD PEOPLE) was well-cast in the role of the tightly-wound mother to Hillcrest senior Charlie. She was completely believable as the liberal head of admissions who heatedly wants what she thinks is best for her son, who was named Charlie Luther Mason in honor of Dr. King.

It was such a treat for me to see the talented young Mr. Halliwell (MAMMA MIA! At Curtain Call, NEXT TO NORMAL, GYPSY at Two Planks,) this time in a dramatic role in his Square One debut. A memorable debut it was, mastering one long and important monologue by the (not so very) “spoiled brat.” This young actor is the assistant director for Two Planks Theater Company’s Summer Workshop programs.

Ruth Anne Baumgartner of Fairfield was so natural in the role of Roberta, the long-time employee in charge of producing the catalogue for the prep school. Since I once was part of a committee that produced a similar booklet, I could completely relate to the challenges and it felt like her character could have easily slid into a chair at our table. Ms. Baumgartner has had a long career in regional/NY theatre and area community theatre and it showed in her performance.

Pat Leo of Monroe, an actor with a long list of credits at Square One and elsewhere, took on the role of Bill Mason, the intense father of young Charlie. Stratford resident Lucy Babbitt, whose day jobs include novelist and fifth grade teacher, probably brought some career experience into the role of Ginnie Peters, a friend of the Mason family and the wife of an African-American teacher at the prep school.

The playwright is New York-based and was born in 1983. The works BAD JEWS, SIGNIFICANT OTHER and SKINTIGHT were all produced by Roundabout Theatre Company.

ADMISSIONS, and the title refers to both the process of getting into a school as well as making one’s admission of a secret, runs through Nov. 24, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Stratford Academy located at 719 Birdseye Street in Stratford, Connecticut. Be forewarned that there is plenty of foul language often spewed in anger throughout, but there are also many subtle laughs that refer to RBG, Toni Morrison and Mystic Pizza in Mystic, CT.

Patrons are invited to join Square One for further discussion of ADMISSIONS on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 at 12 noon in the Lovell Room of the Stratford Library.

Still to come in the Square One thirtieth anniversary season is A.R. Gurney’s classic play THE DINING ROOM which will run March 5 - 22, 2020.

Nancy Sasso Janis, who grew up in Stratford, has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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