By Eva Trieger
POWAY, California — When I read about a play written around the final conversations of a man with a terminal illness, I anticipated a maudlin, depressing evening of theatre. This was not the case. PowPac’s Passing Conversations, written by longtime theatre enthusiast and prolific writer, Brent Stringfield, was conceived during the pandemic. It reveals the vast array of human emotions that surface in family, friends, and the self when death is imminent and known.
Terrence (Steve Murdock) and his second wife, Lillian (Jena Joyce) have intentionally invited blood relatives and family of choice to a weekend retreat in order to find closure before Terrence succumbs to his illness. Through a series of poignant and often humorous conversations, Terrence connects, advises, explains, and becomes vulnerable to his loved ones, and them to him.
As all families are complex, it is evident that these individuals care deeply for each other, and want to use this weekend visit to complete the circle and speak their truths. Family dynamics are laid bare, jealousies and sibling rivalry are revealed, but overall, the exchanges between friends and family members feel honest and candid. In parts, this reviewer thought the script was a little too sanguine, bordering on preachy. Terrence, a successful playwright, appears to try to soothe and advise all of those in his sphere to remember the positives. At one point he confesses to being afraid, but for the most part, he is pragmatic and strong. Terrence’s tenderness towards all of his weekend guests is touching and hints at a lifetime of deep relationships from every stage of his life. The one tragic, unresolved hole in his heart is caused by his troubled relationship with the son of his first marriage, Thomas.
The relationship between granddaughter Aggie (Hope McBride) and Terrence is a mutually respectful and sweet one. The young teen does not appear frightened or sad as one might imagine a child to be when so close to the death of her grandfather. She is bubbly, bright and funny. “I know this may be the last weekend we’ll have together….” She asks her grandfather if he believes in Heaven. “Wouldn’t you like to kick it with Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare?” He answers that “No one’s ever received a postcard from someone who’s passed that says, ‘Wish you were here!” There are several comic relief lines written into this play about heavy matters.
When daughter-in-law, Lucille (Lucinda Moaney) has a heart-to-heart with her mother-in-law, Lillian, she is told that life is about “loving them while they’re here and cherishing them when they’re not.” It is clearly a family of strong and supportive women.
The male friends and relations with whom Terrence makes peace are equally devoted to him, yet each has a unique connection. Robert (Raymond Evans) owes his career to Terrence for guiding him and supporting him as a costume designer. A fellow playwright and one-time roommate, Edward (Vince Campbell) depicts a very close loving relationship that has been fraught with jealousy and professional competition. Terrence’s younger brother, Albert (Patrick McBride) expresses his anger and resentment growing up in Terrence’s shadow or feeling injured by his absence. And rounding out the cast, a very comical character is Ayn (Teresa Snell). In her younger days, she had been Terrence’s muse, and they’d shared Paris together as up-and-coming artists.
This world premiere is worth seeing and appreciating for its honesty and courage in addressing a topic most writers would shy away from. Stringfield is to be commended for providing a multidimensional family that has the hiccups and hurdles every family has. His treatment and resolution made for a fine night of theatre and did PowPac proud, proving once more that this is a little theatre with an enormous heart.
Passing Conversations runs at PowPac Theatre through October 8, 2023. A talkback will be available after the matinee on Sept. 23, 2023. Tickets may be purchased online at http://powpac.org/, by emailing boxoffice@powpac.org, or by calling 858.679.8085.