In the Wake of Entitlement. World Premiere at Berkeley Rep

By Emma Krasov

Lisa Kron’s “In the Wake,” directed by Leigh Silverman, now playing at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre, comes in the middle of the current presidential term, just in time for political reflections and contemplations, while the play focuses on two previous election periods and on historical and history-changing events, with a protagonist heavily engaged in political activism of the decade. Dialog-dense and discussion driven, the show nevertheless is as engaging as your regular action drama, mostly because the playwright’s words pin against each other opposite visceral and deeply-rooted beliefs, sometimes in unexpected carriers, which visibly resonate with the audience. A big part of this new production’s success comes from the talented cast organically engaged with the onstage happenings. While good-looking and well-adjusted Ellen (Heidi Schreck) follows her heart and her mind with a completely innocent sense of entitlement, everyone around her appears judged, neglected, or hurt by her seemingly straightforward and even enlightened way of living and relating to others. Her charming boyfriend Danny (Carson Elrod), her “friends-n-family” Kayla (Andrea Frankle) and Laurie (Danielle Skraastad), the love of her life Amy (Emily Donahoe), her older comrade-mentor Judy (Deirdre O’Connell) and even Judy’s teenage niece Tessa (Miriam F. Glover) all get a portion of Ellen’s unintentional patronizing, naturally occurring inner superiority, and sincere apologies for hurting other people’s feelings, inevitably coming a tad too late. When the closest people fall off Ellen like daisy petals in the eternal quest of love and love-not, she remains the center of her own universe, all alone, yet hardly capable of change. “In the Wake” is not to be missed through June 27 at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. For tickets call 510-647-2949 or visit http://www.berkeleyrep.org/ Image: Heidi Schreck, Andrea Frankle, Miriam Glover, Danielle Skraastad, Carson Elrod and Dierdre O’Connell star in the world-premiere production of In the Wake, from the creators of Broadway’s Well. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com