Know Theatre opens season with spare, passionate love story

Critic's Pick

Gary Henderson’s Skin Tight is as much a piece of lyrical poetry as it is a play. It’s also likely to be the most physical performance — wonderfully staged and choreographed by director Drew Fracher — you’ll see onstage in this Cincinnati theater season. Know Theatre’s 2010-11 season opener is brief — about 60 minutes of performance — taking you on an emotional, passionate journey that’s both a lifetime and the blink of an eye.

Although set in rural New Zealand with references to local places and mid-20th-century events and featuring characters who speak with Kiwi accents, Skin Tight really happens in a place of no time — or, rather, a timeless place. Roughhewn boards suggest a barn; an opening is awash with light that changes to underscore emotions ebbing and flowing. (Andrew Hungerford served as both scenic and lighting designer with evocative results.)

From the shocking first moment, when Beth Harris (as Elizabeth) and Jens Rasmussen (as Tom) fling themselves at one another with startling brutality, this ardent couple explores their long relationship physically, violently, emotionally and pleasurably.

They wrestle literally and emotionally, and we sense that they’re on the brink of a passage, referenced by Elizabeth in her first line, “I have to go.” But her departure is delayed, multiplied, elaborated and enhanced by Henderson’s spare, poignant script — few words, many actions and metaphors using a handful of simple props (buckets of water, a pocket knife, an apple).

Harris, a veteran Cincinnati actor and singer, has a glittering spark of defiance and fierce warmth that shines forth from Elizabeth’s defiant core. Rasmussen’s sly smile and understated delivery give Tom a fundamental honesty and an irresistible charm.

Skin Tight is driven by the exquisite sensuality of being touched. In a scant hour, you’ll know this pair, love them and be profoundly touched yourself.

By Rick Pender for City Beat

Know Theatre of Cincinnati's SKIN TIGHT

Know Theatre of Cincinnati opened a new season with Gary Henderson's Skin Tight this past Saturday night and while the play is only one act, it's one act you won't forget anytime soon.

Skin Tight tells the story of New Zealand couple Elizabeth (Beth Harris) and Tom (Jens Rasmussen). From the first scene, where Elizabeth and Tom circle around each other on the sparse stage before engaging in a well-choreographed, knock-down, drag out fight, to intimate gestures later of Tom washing Elizabeth's hair or Elizabeth shaving Tom, the play explores the often volatile relationship between the two. Throughout, the audience learns about the couple's history -- from infidelity issues, to their relationship with their estranged daughter, even the little quirks that annoy each other. But even with the ups and the downs, by the end it's clear the couple had a sort of inescapable love for each other.

We know from Elizabeth's first, simple words of "I have to go," that change is occuring but it isn't until deep within the play that we know just exactly where she's going. And after becoming enveloped in the couple's lives, it's a heartwrenching ending.

Harris and Rasmussen have excellent onstage chemistry, with Harris giving her character just the right amount of sass to Rasmussen's more melancholy Tom. Their movements have a thrilling sensuality, thanks to director and fight choreographer Drew Fracher.  With only two pails and a large washtub, the simple scenery keeps the focus where it belonged on the characters and their actions. Rough, weathered boards in the back add a feeling of rusticity. Lighting by Andrew Hungerford also help to set the environment, changing colors to reflect the mood on stage.

Don't miss this exciting play running now through October 30th.

by Jill Siekman for BroadwayWorld.com

Know Theatre’s ‘Skin Tight’ offers passionate look at love

Cincinnati’s best off-off-Broadway playhouse, the Know Theatre, opens its 13th season with the intimate, advant-garde play, Skin Tight. Written by New Zealand playwright Gary Henderson and directed by Drew Fracher, the show runs through October 30, 2010.

Skin Tight tells the story of a rural New Zealand couple, Tom and Elizabeth, who relive their love story on stage. From its opening moments, Skin Tight grabs the audience and leads them through a frenzied, passionate dance that refuses to let go. The performance is a heady mix of touching, romantic prose spoken by the duo, coupled with bouts of physical activity: fighting, wrestling, dancing, and loving gestures. The show toes the line between the reality of the couple’s situation and the way they see and view each other.

Director Drew Fracher says, “A friend gave me Skin Tight, knowing my penchant for action and stage combat and suggest that I might like the play. I felt that the Know was the only place in town that fit the style and content best. Thankfully, producing artistic director Eric [Vosmeier] felt the same way. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to work on such an amazing, theatrical piece.”

Veteran Equity actor Jens Rasmussen (Tom) and local theatre starlet Beth Harris (Elizabeth) commandeer their audience’s attention from the get go. With believable accents and even more convincing love and care for each other, these two actors reveal the inner workings of a relationship that has stood the test of time. From juvenile taunts to real fears and honest wounds, the chemistry between the two on stage draws the viewer in and invites them to experience the same feelings. Their raw, emotional portrayal of a very real, intimate relationship – the combination of trust, pain, passion, laughter, anger, fear, hope – reduced many in the audience to tears by the end of the show.

The sets and lighting, designed by Andrew Hungerford, are simple yet effective, drawing the viewer into rural farmland without distracting from the action. Sound design by Doug Borntrager helps to illustrate the emotions being played out on stage.

This is not an easy show to attend. There is nudity, there is fighting, and it moves at a jarringly quick pace. Basic plot and character development unfolds very slowly, and even at the end the audience may have questions that were not answered.

The experience of this show, however, is completely worth every question and plot twist. In the end, love is a confusing and tricky thing. The heart and soul of Skin Tight is the bond between two ordinary people…people with just enough detail left out to be any one of us.

Let go of your expectations and come along for the ride. Experience the realities of a life well lived and fiercely loved.

BY: JENNY KESSLER for UrbanCincy