Purple Rose Hits Its Mark With 'Some Couples May'

The Purple Rose Theatre Company's production of Carey Crim's Some Couples May  is the best non-musical show I've seen in a long time.  Crim's script had everything one could ask for.  I laughed (a lot), I cried, I even gasped aloud a few times.  The characters are all excentric and very likeable.  I would love to see more of Crim's plays.

Rhiannon Ragland as Emily was a delight.  The way she transitions between horrifying and heartbreaking takes a great deal of skill. I especially enjoyed her act 1 monologue.

Bill Simmons as David is smooth and grounded, the perfect counterbalance to Ragland.  His comedic moments were perfectly played, and his character was a nice moral compass throughout the show.

The highlight of the show, for me, was Jim Porterfield's performance as Bernie.  I loved every second he was on stage.  The flashback scene in act 2 was great both physically and emotionally. It really made the show excellent.

Some of the technical aspects of the show fell flat for me, though.  There are a few moments where, in tighter focused lighting areas, the actors walked out of the lights, completely losing their faces.  I also found some of the staging awkward.

More could have been done with props and scenic decor to better differientiate which locale the scene takes place, especially for the doctors offices.  It was also strange that some of the costumes were used so many times, especially since some costumes would change and others in the same scene wouldn't.  Also, Ragland's hair seemed to get in her way often.

Some Couples May continues at The Purple Rose through May 28.  For tickets call 734-433-7673 or visit www.purplerosetheatre.org. Shows are at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 3 p.m. ans 8 p.m. on Saturdays.