Saving Cain

What I liked

Among the many nice things I have to say about this play, what immediately struck me is that it is presented with abundant energy. From the first scene conflicts are apparent, you learn immediately where the two principals are coming from and you are pulled in to see where it will lead. I am wary of spoilers, and with a mind to that I will say: the story revolves around a single mother and her teenage son, entering his senior year of high school, and is it necessary to say they don’t see eye to eye?
In answering that question I was delighted to see that we get glimpses into both mother’s and son’s perspectives and time apart. Also, although I felt the author made a case regarding religion, and one that I agree with, this was no didactic essay-disguised-as-dialogue. The counterpoint is given prominence, and is played with such heartfelt conviction by the mother (Leah Verrill) that you feel the push and pull of the debate in the playwright’s mind.
All of the performances are honest and strong, which matches the mature and believable world set forth by the playwright. Alright… (very minor) spoiler: As you learn immediately, in the opening scene of the play, the mother is an evangelical christian. I have little first-hand experience of that community, but I felt it was presented with respect and integrity.
The play deals with a lot more than that, above all real people. For natural, powerful performances of a real family conflict, see ‘Saving Cain.’

What I didn't like

My overall impression

Excellent acting, moving story, a loving and empathetic look on how trauma shaping can shape one generation of a family and swing back the other way for the next.