Theatrical Outfit is presenting the world premiere of Steve Yockey’s satiric, farcical play “Bleeding Hearts,” directed by Sean Daniels, running through Feb. 22.
The prolific Yockey has not only “gone national” with his many plays, but also international; he has also moved into movies and television. I have been fortunate enough to see several of his dynamic plays in Atlanta, such as “Octopus,” “Large Animal Games,” “Blackberry Winter,” “Wolves,” “Pluto,” “Reykjevik,” and others. To say he really takes you on a ride is putting it mildly.
A subtitle for the play could be “The Dissolution of the Middle Class”; but that wouldn’t even hint at the bloody hijinks coming your way. Bloody? Well, yes. Let’s start with who’s who.
Veronika Duerr plays Sloane Burke, the energetic, jittery wife of Timothy Burke (Christopher Hampton). You’d be jittery too, if your husband brought home a catatonic (maybe) drifter named “Old Blindy (Tony Larkin), who sits in the window seat holding a large knife. There is blood all over his shirt. Where’d the blood come from? Don’t ask; just go with the flow (no pun intended).
Josh Adams (Griff O’Brien), Sloane’s spectral brother, appears like magic in a sort of lighthouse, but he and his sister have a grisly task to perform. I can’t say more without spoilers.
Finally, there is a haughty, rich, avaricious neighbor named Felicia Reed-Walker (Tess Malis Kincaid), who waltzes into Sloane and Timothy’s house whenever it suits her; furthermore, if she sees an object she likes, she just takes it. Presto. “Try and stop me; I’m rich,” she seems to say. Felicia’s and Sloane’s colloquies are breakneck speed and hilarious.
Meanwhile, “Old Blindy” seems to have taken a turn for the worse; as in, he looks dead. What to do with the body?
It should be mentioned that both Sloane and Timothy seem to be having perpetual financial problems. They’re middle class, you see; things fall apart.
”And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?” You probably recognize the W.B. Yeats quote. Looking at the play and the world we’re living in, it seems appropriate. I think playwright Yockey would approve.
Sean Daniels’ (former Artistic Director for Dad’s Garage) direction is first-rate. He has a truly enviable résumé. Scene Designer Kat Conley’s work is excellent. Lighting design is by David Reingold. Sound design, Dan Bauman. April Andrew Carswell, costume design.
Just remember to take a deep breath as the play begins; pretend you’re about to watch Secretariat; these actors are about to give you an explosion of energy.
For tickets and more information, visit this link.