What I liked
First things first, I have never seen the Hobgoblin so beautifully decorated before! Whomever painted/crafted this set deserves applause. And I am going to single out Ashlee Geddings Demartinis for her props! This show looked like a peanut store, complete with cash register and merchandise display items. They were adorable.
Secondly, performers Emma Giallongo (Ellie) and Spencer Wright (Shem) made formidable siblings dealing with the pain of losing their Mother at a young age and having to live with a gruffy, peanut-farmer grandfather, Herb. Like all siblings, they argue and disagree, but underneath the trauma, they love each other deeply.
I am not 100% sure who made Gus(th), the puppet, but I’ve never seen an uglier, dead possum be so endearing/knowledgeable. One of my favorite lines from the show is his – “Grief is moving with, not moving on.” And to that end, Wright, who not only acts in the piece, but is also the writer must get recognition for some truly amusing, yet touching work.
I so wish I could have had one of those cookies… they were looking tasty!
What I didn't like
I realize with a gorgeous set taking up a huge chunk of stage, this is a nitpick, but the actors spent so much time just standing next to each, it got redundant.
I wish the theme about “healing being a revolutionary act” had been brought up at the top of the show and then buttoned at the end.
And last, I was confused by the wardrobe and makeup of Ellie (pre-incident with “the trident”). It didn’t seem to fit her as the owner of the storefront.
My overall impression
It’s not every day that merch captures my feelings towards a show, but in the words of A Funeral at the Peanut Patch, I am definitely Nutz 4 Nutz! This show is a clever, original serio-comedy about siblings and their peanut farm. Add in the poignant issue about how humans are taking over animals’ homes/lands and there you have it: a two-hander with a real message. As for the messenger, well, hands up (er, hats off) to Gus(th).
