What I liked
I was drawn into the relationship between the two brothers—complex, loving, difficult, painful. Both caught up in present and past. I especially admired the way playwright Rush Zutshi constructed and differentiated their characters— their temperaments, sensitivities and values, all the ingredients combined to generate heat in this tightly structured drama, full of compelling conflict and surprise reveals. And the director and actors nailed it! The performances were very moving, capturing the essence of this difficult relationship, the joys and hurts and betrayals. And that ending! Wow! You just have to see it! And decide where you are.
What I didn't like
I’m extremely enthusiastic about this play, but there was one section I wished had gone a little deeper—it involved a conversation about Mike’s teenaged daughter. Mike is naturally very protective, whereas (uncle) Shawn has a more permissive point of view, though has no children. I felt that a few more specific details surrounding this—whether concerning the daughter’s current or potential risky behavior, or some aspect of Mike and Shawn’s history or upbringing, might have helped reinforce some of the plays other nuanced complexities in the brothers’ relationship.
My overall impression
Kudos for White Lilies! The play is a gripping two-hander (well, maaaaybe a three-hander ; ) ) centering around the fragile bonds of family. The production grabbed me right away with an utterly convincing piece of stage magic that haunted the story all the way to its startling conclusion. The play is tightly written, full of conflict and heartache, a tale of two brothers and the recent history that draws them together while pushing them apart. There are a number of well-placed twists and reveals that drive story—many layers at play here! I’m dying to reveal the final WTF?! moment, but you just have to see it…
