'This Wide Night': The Life Beyond Prison Walls
If the complaint that there are not enough meaty roles in the theater for women sounds familiar, it may be because more women are doing something about it, even if they have to take matters into their own hands. Two actresses felt so strongly about appearing in “This Wide Night,” a play by the British playwright Chloe Moss, that they decided to produce it as well, and it will be staged at Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater beginning next Thursday.
Last week, in a chilly warehouse space in Riverhead lent to them by the Bay Street Theater, Chloe Dirksen and Jessica Mortellaro rehearsed some scenes from the play, taking apart each piece to think about blocking, moving props on and off an intimate stage, and juggling costume changes.
The play is about two former prison cellmates attempting to make it in the world outside the walls. The audience is never told exactly what they did to land in jail. The play is not a crime procedural, but instead addresses the challenges the two face in trying to re-acclimate themselves in a world hostile to convicted felons. “These are two really interesting characters in a really interesting situation,” Ms. Dirksen said.
The play takes place five days after the character she plays has been released. Having nowhere else to go, she looks up her old friend, played by Ms. Mortellaro, who has been out for a while.
“The play definitely made us think about and research what the experience is of those who go to jail and their transition coming out of it,” Ms. Dirksen said. The characters face tough challenges “having to start again with nothing: no money, no connections. And, they have a record.” She hopes the play will prompt discussions about how society treats criminals and how that experience shapes them in and out of jail.
Their crimes “are talked about a bit, but not in real detail. This is not ‘Law and Order,’ ” Ms. Dirksen said. “What this is about is two people, their circumstances in the present, and how they are dealing with them. It is also about their need to connect with somebody.”
Ms. Mortellaro, who grew up on Long Island and now lives in New York City, met Ms. Dirksen, a Sag Harbor resident, when both appeared in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which was presented at Bay Street in 2013. It was where they also first worked with Joe Minutillo, who will direct this play for them. Both women were effusive in their gratitude for his help, which included finding their stage manager, Bethany Sortman, and the lighting and set designers, Jose Santiago and John Raynor. Josh Gladstone, who agreed to stage the play at Guild Hall, and the advertisers in the program, who are providing greatly needed funds for the production, were also singled out for thanks.
A unique feature added to the play is an original score by Felix Bird — like Ms. Dirksen, from Sag Harbor and also a parent — who writes scores for films and television. They met on the playground. She said they have been “blown away by the enthusiasm” they have received in every corner in response to their effort.
It has made the hard work of producing — the first time for both women — exciting and fulfilling. “We have had an experience with college shows, “but nothing to this scale.” Both were surprised by just how much work had to be done and how many decisions had to be made.
“It’s an exciting thing for us to be both producing and acting. Being responsible for telling a story feels really good,” even with the added pressure, Ms. Dirksen said.
The play will have a two-week run with performances beginning next Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday, March 18, at 8, March 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and March 20 at 2 p.m. It continues the following week, on the same days and times, through March 26. Tickets are $28 in advance and $35 cash at the door. Advance purchases can be made through the Brown Paper Tickets website.