Raise a Glass to The Factory Theater's World Premiere May The Road Rise Up

Playwright Shannon O’Neill’s newest work, May The Road Rise Up, is like a glass of fine Irish whiskey on a cool Chicago night - filled with character intermixed with smoky secrets.  This play is not what you may expect.  This is an Irish family drama where no one dies. Contrary to expectations, May The Road Rise Up is not dark and dreary, but rather infused with humor.  This Jeff Recommended world premier only reinforces The Factory Theater’s reputation as a hidden jewel in Chicago Theater.

Vic Kuligoski, Patrick Blashill, and Loretta Rezos in May The Road Rise Up at The Factory Theater
Production Photo by Michael Courier

The story revolves around the Murphy family and their circle of friends.  They have suffered a terrible tragedy. Everyone in their small town knows what happened, even if no one (including the family) talks about it.  Rather than deal with the grief, both family and friends choose to slap a band-aid over the pain and let the hurt fester over time.  Twenty-something Michael (Vic Kuligoski) chooses to leave home soon after the incident, essentially cutting off all communication with his family and friends.  In response to a text from his mother, Patty, (Loretta Rezos), a nurse on the graveyard shift who is kindling a new romance in secret, Michael decides to return home for the 70^th birthday party for his Irish Grandfather, Danny, (Patrick Blashill).  His absence causes a rift not only with his family, but also with his friends.  While he left home to escape the pain of losing a loved one, he failed to recognize the impact his disappearance may have had on others.  He must now figure out how to repair the damage from his abrupt departure and lack of communication.

Before confronting his family, Michael first seeks the support of his high school friends, Rosie (Bob Pantalone), Sam (Jose Cervantes), and Ruby (Julia Rowley).  He is unprepared when his friends confront him with their own anger and frustration at being abandoned by Michael.  While they have always had his back, they, too, were dealing with life’s challenges.  But Michael wasn’t there for them as they had been for him.  Eventually, the friends come around and rekindle their former relationships.  However, Michael’s family life is more of a challenge.  His Grandfather is an old-school Irish boxer who can’t understand why Michael ran away from his problems and, more importantly,  never called his Mother.  Patty has difficulty dealing with her prodigal son as she continues to bury her own grief.  Things are further complicated by the secret romance with a hospital doctor that she keeps hidden from both her father and son.

Patrick Blashill, Zac Bloomfield, Loretta Rezos and Maggie Cain in May The Road Rise Up at The Factory Theater
Production Photo by Michael Courier

O’Neill has penned a story about an Irish family celebrating a milestone while still grieving their past.  While doing so, she drew upon her own family stories, providing an added layer of sensability.  In return, the ensemble owns the characters she has created for them.  As Michael’s high school friend and former love interest, Rowley in particular stands out.  (He professed his undying love at her 10^th birthday party.  She responded that “they should just stay friends”).  Not afraid to communicate her hurt at receiving just a single text after Michael left, she still wants to support him. She is surprised when Michael tells her that he always believed she can do whatever she sets her mind to, especially since she doesn’t have that same confidence in herself.  Ruby is the first of the friends to forgive him.  Rowley plays all the nuances O’Neill gave Ruby’s character to perfection.

The audience is seated in a semi-circle around an intimate playing space.  Spenser Davis’s direction makes the audience feel as if they’re a “fly on the wall” enjoying a unique view of the action as the story progresses. He skillfully orchestrates the ensemble through the serious and the humor.  In the group scene where Michael plays a song for his Grandfather on his birthday, Davis has each character show their unique emotion of dealing with the moment, demonstrating how each of them deals with the situation in their own way.  At the back of the crowd, Rezos struggles between the joy of seeing her father and son reconciled against the pain she feels after her discovery of something in Michael’s backpack.

Evan Frank’s flexible set works well in the small space, transforming from family kitchen, to a bar, a hardware store, bedroom, and an automobile, with believable smoothness.  David Goodman-Edberg’s lighting helps the scenes flow easily from one to the next while Sound Designer Tony Ingram’s subtle music and sound cues add realism to each scene without distracting.

I hope the Jefferson Committee remembers this jewel of a production come awards season.  I also look forward to seeing this show have the future life it deserves.

May The Road Rise Up is a The Factory Theater production playing through March 30.  For more information about the show, including show times, and The Factory Theater, visit TheFactoryTheater.com.