“Communicating Doors” transporting science fiction play

SUFFIELD — Community theater at it’s best and most raucous can be seen at the Suffield Players in their production of the witty science fiction romp, Alan Ayckbrourn’s “Communicating Doors.”
A little confusing at first, with 20-year time travel for some through a mysterious spinning closet, the play is set in the same London hotel suite in 2024, 2004, and 1984.
In 2024, a dying man, Harold (Brian Rucci) has remorse for the untimely death of his two wives, who previously met their ends by his unscrupulous business partner Julian (Christopher Berrien). In a state of despair, Harold writes a confession and hides it down a drainpipe.
He hires a dominatrix, Phoebe, who goes by the name of Poopay, played by Becky Rodia Schoenfeld, to sign his confession, and tells her the whole sordid tale about his two wives’ untimely deaths — both of whom he learns late in life were murdered by Julian.
When Phoebe asks how he could not have seen a pattern in his partner’s behavior, Harold says they made millions from underhanded business practices, and he chose to ignore the fact that Julian was so evil that he even confessed to murdering his mother.
“I preferred to see the facts as they appeared,” Harold says, and deceives himself that “the version of the truth is the truth itself.”
But now Harold feels guilty on his death bed and wants to make a clean break from his past, writing a confession.
When Phoebe refuses to sign the confession, Harold says in frustration, “My God, an honest whore,” to which she responds, “I am not a whore. I am a specialist sexual consultant!”
Phoebe meets the Julian who learns about his partner’s written confession and does his best to destroy the document and Phoebe.
Unlike many science fiction tales where travelling back in time to change the outcome results in unforeseen dire complications, the manipulations in events here produce positive changes back in the future.
The witty, fast-paced English-accented dialog proceeds at a rapid clip, and the actors are all up to the challenge.
Special notice goes to the excellent Schoenfeld whose Cockney accent could not be better. A previous role elsewhere as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” was great training for her role in “Communicating Doors.”
Also very fine is Mary Fernandez-Sierra as the second wife, Ruella. The scenes with Fernandez-Sierra and Schoenfeld feel natural and true.
As with any theater production, it is a team effort, but this show is exceptional for it’s creative time-traveling closet that worked every time, with special recognition due to technical director Jerry Zalewski, stage manager Dorrie Mitchell, and production manager Konrad Rogowski, with sound design and operations by Dana T. Ring.
As a side note, the Suffield Players recently had to replace the furnace at their historic Mapleton Hall, incurring unexpectedly large expenses. They are hoping to raise $10,000 to help cover their costs, and are looking donations. For further information visit their website or contact them at 860-668-8037.

COMMUNICATING DOORS

3 Stars
Location: Mapleton Hall, 1305 Mapleton Ave. Suffield.
Production: Written by Alan Ayckbourn. Directed by Dale T. Facey. Assistant direction by Sharon FitzHenry. Stage manager Dorrie Mitchell. Assistant stage manager Bob Williams. Backstage crew Larry Andersen. Technical director and lighting design by Jerry Zalewski. Production manager Konrad Rogowski. Costume design Rebecca Murray. Set design by Christopher Berrien. Sound design and operations by Dana T. Ring.
Running time: 2 ½ hours, plus a 15-minute intermissions.
Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through March 6.
Tickets: $17, $15 for seniors and students. Not recommended for young children, because of some adult situations. Call 860-668-8037 or visit their website at www.suffieldplayers.org.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Becky Rodia Schoenfeld … Poopay/Phoebe
Mary Fernandez-Sierra … Ruella
Brian Rucci … Harold
Christopher Berrien … Julian
Rayah Martin … Jessica
Allen Nott … Reece