My overall impression
Any show that starts with a creepy, slowed down version of “Someday My Prince Will Come” has my attention from the get-go, and therefore, I was remarkable attentive to Poison Apple by Sean Galuszka. The play, billed as a “sexy, psycho-thriller,” tells the horrifyingly true tale of Paul (Chris Sams), a type-A homebody and Jerry (Sean Galuszka), a rugged and mysterious friend of Paul’s roommate who forced his way into the apartment. Neither is exactly as they seem, however, and what follows can only be described as sexual and thrilling; a Hitchcockian game of cat and mouse with a Grimm twist.
The script is expertly written, keeping the pace brisk and the conversation flowing. Nothing feels forced, which is credit to both the writing, and the fine acting work done by Sams and Galuszka. Sams’s emotional instability is fascinating to watch and Galuszka perfectly walks the fine line between being loveable and being dangerous, at times capturing both with a single glance.
Direction by Susan Lambert is top notch, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat throughout. Lighting Design, also by Lambert, and costumes by Andrae Gonzalo are natural and keep with the realistic nature of the story unfolding.
And the ending, well, the ending you’ll need to see to believe.
