In these hard economic times, many Americans may wonder how the choices they have made have shaped their lives. Is it all about the paths we choose? Or, are some people just born luckier than others?
The Good Theater is giving voice to these questions and more with the Maine premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People.”
The play provides an intimate glimpse into the life of Margie Walsh (Denise Poirier), a middle-aged, single mother of an adult mentally challenged daughter. The South Boston native is barely making ends meet working as a dollar-store clerk for just slightly more than $9 an hour. Her boss, Stevie (Jesse Leighton), is the son of a former classmate.
As the play opens, Margie is fired for repeatedly showing up late for work due to child care issues.
It’s a story that is all too familiar in this day and age. And one that clearly held appeal for patrons at the packed Good Theater Friday night.
Laughter mingled with emotion as Margie’s life unfolded on stage. The Good Theater has assembled a dynamic cast led by Poirier as the spunky Southie who never gives up, no matter what hardships life throws her way.
As a part-time actress living in New York, the 50-year-old Maine native knows what it’s like to fight for her dreams. Poirier delved into this resilience Friday, bringing realism and depth to the role. She further captured the character with a full-blown Southie accent and attitude, imbued with an impeccable comic timing that cracked up both the audience and cast.
Suzanne Rankin and Amy Roche added sass and pluck as Margie’s landlady, Dottie, and best friend, Jean. The pair played off each other like Abbott and Costello, providing flavorful cultural context to Margie’s life.
The disparate differences between the haves and the have-nots is one of many ongoing themes explored in “Good People.” James Noel Hoban (Mike) and Noelle LuSane (Kate) lent passionate performances Friday that flushed out this dichotomy, all the while posing more questions.
Mike, Margie’s ex-boyfriend, escaped South Boston to become a doctor living in Chestnut Hill, a wealthy suburb of Boston. He lives a “lace curtain” life with his socialite wife, Kate, and their young daughter. But is his life really better? Is he one of the “good people”?
Leighton rounded out the well-chosen cast as Margie’s misunderstood, maligned young boss. He nailed the role, with an underlying compassion and humility.
We are all shaped by the choices we make and the opportunities afforded us. But, in the end, it’s not always easy to tell who the “good people” really are, or to define what constitutes a good life.
“Good People” offers a relevant and thought-provoking portrayal of life that the average person can identify with on some level. We’ve all made good and bad choices, but how we handle those choices ultimately defines our true character.
April Boyle is a free-lance writer from Casco. She can be contacted at:
aprilhboyle@yahoo.com
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