Two Point OH presented by Falcon Theatre through December 2nd. For this addition to my original LCT review, I attended the second Friday performance (aka Rachel Mock’s opening night).
Rachel Mock as Melanie Leeds and Daniel Fenton Anderson as Ben Robbins. Photo by Claudia Herschner.
Do you know how rare it is that a reviewer gets to see a show more than once in order to contribute to their write-up? We’re talking nearly as rare as white peacocks or a corpse flower. (Google them, kids – the latter was on display at the Cincinnati Zoo just last summer.) Fortunately, I was offered the opportunity recently to see Falcon Theatre’s Two Point OH one more time so I could see Rachel Mock step into her role as Melanie Leeds after having the privilege of seeing her understudy opening weekend.
One of the things I am not sure I mentioned enough in my original review [for the League of Cincinnati Theatres] is just how smart and engaging Jefferey Jackson’s script is. Coupled with talented actors and creative direction by Steve Phelan, I had no problem seeing the show a second time.
Everyone in the cast was just as good if not better the second time around – so I won’t bore them with additional praise. But they are really brilliant! However, this viewing had a specific purpose and it was to see the artist originally cast as Melanie step into the role after having to step out due to illness. Rachel Mock impresses from the get-go in portraying the complicated feelings of Elliot Leeds’ wife and then widow. Without spoiling specific plot points, Ms. Mock’s build into her feelings of grief and loss is heart-breaking and very relatable. She has seemingly mastered this role’s rollercoaster of emotions and reactions and the audience truly goes on that ride with her. Further, I was impressed with Ms. Mock’s poise in showing both verbal and physical changes as her emotional status fluctuated. Brava to Ms. Mock and to everyone involved!
You still have three more chances to catch this show before the hardware becomes obsolete: Thursday November 30th, Friday December 1st, and Saturday December 2nd. For more information about the show – including how to purchase tickets – please visit Falcon’s site here.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 