I have often thought that if everyone in the world learned Sign Language, then we would be able to communicate fully with each other without speaking a word. After all, the non-verbal movements for any word or phrase communicates the same thing in every spoken language. And while every actor knows there are two main elements to communicating a character and story, your voice and your body, being able to do so without speaking a word can be challenging – even for the best of pantomime artists.
What about a play performed in silence? Now at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica is SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS by Drama Desk Award winner Bess Wohl, whose inspiration for the play came from her own personal experience at a silent meditation retreat surrounded by people who were looking for a way for their lives to be changed or healed, and decided it was fertile subject matter for a play.
Having been involved in silent retreats myself, I knew I had to attend to see how six runaways from city life learn to communicate without speaking by learning to observe and listen in the overwhelming quiet of the woods. Well, other than the thundering rainstorm, realistically created with sound design by Stowe Nelson and video design by Andrew Schneider, which loudly opens the play.
Director Rachel Chavkin said, “In order for the production to be successful, the audience shouldn’t just feel like they have seen some people at a silent retreat, but that they leave feeling as if they have profoundly experienced that sense of silence themselves. There’s the joy of the kind of detective work that the audience is forced to constantly do with this piece. There are little clues, as everyone’s behavior is very consistent with who they are. We worked very hard to make sure of that.” And she and her cast have certainly succeeded.
Leading the group is the Retreat Leader, portrayed in voice over by Orville Mendoza, who reveals himself physically only during curtain call. As he shares and guides, you can hear his own frustrations with life, as well as his bad cold, which often distracts him from being the true team leader these searching souls need. As they confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. This unique and compassionate new play, filled with awkward and insightful humor, will open your eyes as to just how much you can learn about others when you shut your mouth and just listen.
The six remarkably talented actors are skilled in the art of pantomime, with each one offering a unique take on their characters and revealing surprises as the story plays out. On a brilliantly designed set by Obie-winner Laura Jellinek, which transforms as the central meeting room with six chairs slides back and forth when needed for a scene, we first meet Jan (Connor Barrett) who I nicknamed “Mountain Man” given his style of dress and long beard. He seems to be a gentle soul, struggling with the loss of someone close to him whose photo he carries as if it is his most exquisite treasure. Just be prepared to be amazed with his end-of-play revelation!
portrays Rodney, a well-built Asian man who uses yoga to settle his mind and center his soul. He is the most free-spirited of the group (the only one to go skinny-dipping) and probably the most self-assured and intelligent.
As the Leader shares a story of two frogs, which turns out to be a brilliant metaphor of what it means to gain enlightenment and never be able to return to your former life, Chin-Lyn gently shares his spiritual soul with a knowing nod and smile as the only one to grasp its true meaning.
But what secret is he hiding as to the real reason he is at this silent retreat?
Ned () is an ill-at-ease man who always wears a cap and seems rather out of place until he verbally shares all the suffering he has endured after falling on a mountain climbing expedition and crushing his skull. While it was strange to hear him speak halfway through, his story was a profound one which opened my eyes to how none of us can ever truly walk in another person’s shoes.
The three women include the blonde millennial Alicia () who seems totally scatter-brained, and middle-aged Judy (Cherene Snow) and Joan () who are attempting to learn to live with cancer as the sufferer and her devoted best friend. Their heartbreaking journey will no doubt ring true with many as we learn .
“Small Mouth Sounds” enjoyed record-breaking runs 2015-2016, and its current national tour is booked for 23 weeks in multiple cities, making it one of the longest tours for an Off-Broadway show of this size in recent memory. Catch it at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica through Jan. 28, with daily performances except Mondays. Reserved seat tickets start at $45 and may be booked by calling 310-434-3200, at the box office beginning three hours prior to performance, or online at www.thebroadstage.org,