Rising Water
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Rick, Veda Franklin
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By Ben Miles
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina side-swiped the fragile, decrepit city of New Orleans. In the aftermath of nature's indifferent fury, the historic municipality's aged and insufficient infrastructure broke apart and floated away like a Legos Erector-Set dismantling under a fast-flowing bathtub faucet. Eighty percent of the Big N.O. was flooded; fifty-three levees were breached; over twelve-hundred people died, either from drowning or dehydration and exposure. The estimated cost of this calamity is estimated at eighty-six billion dollars. Katrina is currently considered as the worst engineering disaster in American history.
Now, less than three years after the benighted storm touched ground on the Gulf Coast, The Maverick Theater in Fullerton presents John Biguenet's award-winning dramatic and microcosmic examination of the tempest's effect on one couple in the Crescent City. Directed with detail and sensitivity by Brian Newell--who also provides the visceral set design, as well as the subtle sound motif and the eerie, evocative lighting score--rising water literally awakes Camille as she rouses her soundly sleeping husband, Sugar. Cleverly and tersely the first act of Biguenet's script takes place in the attic of the family home, as the water keeps rising.
By the final act of Rising Water, the couple attempts to escape to the rooftop of the house (this allows for an impressive scene change). But, disturbingly, Sugar's portly physique proves too wide a fit for the topside opening. As the structure slowly and relentlessly fills with water, we come to know these people: they had children; he overcame a problem with alcohol; she's forgiven him a horrible trespass; they love one another; they relish their life together.
The real-life husband and wife acting team of Veda and Rick Franklin, as Camille and Sugar, respectively, deliver portrayals that are remarkable in terms of authenticity and verisimilitude. It is as if we are looking into the lives of a longtime married couple (perhaps we are), in a dire situation. Like people in drastic circumstances around the rocky trail of world events, Camille and Sugar find both surrender and transcendent humor in the forces they face down, and through which they may not survive. Rising Water is a tribute to the human spirit and a testament to an American tragedy.
Rising Water continues through May 31. The Maverick Theater is located at 110 East Walnut Avenue, in Fullerton. For reservations, dial (714) 526 - 7070. For more details, visit www.mavericktheater.com.
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