A Princeton student does not necessarily have to take the hour-long train ride to New York to watch a Broadway-caliber play — not when the world premiere of Christopher Durang's "Miss Witherspoon" is running at McCarter Theater until October 11. With its colorful characters, witty dialogue and profound message, the play is bound to be well-received by critics and audiences alike.
Directed by McCarter's Artistic Director, Emily Mann, "Miss Witherspoon" tells the story of a bipolar, middle-aged woman who, after committing suicide, is forced to be reincarnated against her will. While the plot is somewhat unusual and certainly comical, Durang uses the play to communicate serious messages about religion and the search for humanity's salvation.
The title character is played by Kristine Nielsen, who has performed in numerous Broadway shows. With her exaggerated facial expressions and outlandish physical actions, Nielson is able to portray the comical side of Miss Witherspoon while also conveying an underlying sincerity during her moments of reflection.
The other actors are also successful in playing humorous characters with deeper messages to share, such as an Indian woman who plays Miss Witherspoon's Buddhist-like spiritual guide and the black woman who plays Jesus Christ. However, Nielson is clearly the gem of the production.
The scenery is sparse, but jokes are plentiful throughout the play. A set often consists of nothing more than a clear plastic chair set against a backdrop of blue sky, but the lively language and interaction among characters keeps the audience entertained despite the lack of visual stimulation.
Durang packs the dialogue with witty banter, and though much of this wit seems aimed toward an older audience, viewers of all ages are certain to crack a smile multiple times during the course of the play.
The best part of "Miss Witherspoon" is actually not it's humor, but rather its cutting insight. Durang questions religion and laments the inevitability of human suffering, but his message is not entirely pessimistic and fatalistic. Instead, he leaves the audience with a feeling of hope, a feeling that we have the ability to improve our lives and our world.
"Miss Witherspoon" is just one of playwright Durang's many dramas. Originally from New Jersey, Durang spent his undergraduate years at Harvard before attending the Yale School of Drama.
Durang's plays include "A History of the American Film," which was nominated for a Tony, "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You" and "Baby with the Bathwater," among other plays that have been performed on and off Broadway, throughout the country and around the world.
Any Princeton student, whether an avid theater-lover or simply someone who likes to be entertained, should take advantage of the opportunity to see such a renowned playwright's work. Even the least enthused theatre-goers can appreciate the hour-and-a-half long performance's quick pace and the seamless flow of scenes and dialogue that make "Miss Witherspoon" the perfect date, whether for Friday night or Sunday afternoon.
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