Stray

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Stray

At the Black Dahlia Theatre

Reviewed by Neal Weaver

November 10, 2009

Photo by Karl Gajdusek

Canadian writer Ruth McKee's tautly written drama centers on a character we never see: Daniel is a young African boy, born in strife-torn Uganda. His father has disappeared, and his mother died of AIDS, leaving him in the care of his elder sister—but she, in turn was murdered before his eyes. Dr. James Martin (Matt Gaydos), a white American eye doctor working in a neighboring village, hears of the boy's plight, and with his Kenyan wife, Rachel (Analeis Lorig), he decides to adopt him and take him back to Ohio. Problems soon arise. Daniel suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and he's further disturbed by being uprooted from everything he knows. He's remote, he can't stand to be touched, and, when frightened, he bites and barks like a dog. James means well and wants to do what's best for his son, but he's too obtuse to see the price exacted on those around him. All find their lives in turmoil because of Daniel: his third-grade teacher (Jennifer Chang), the school principal (Angela Bullock), and his psychotherapist (Eileen Galindo). James decides the boy must be homeschooled by the reluctant Rachel, who resents being deprived of her own professional ambitions and suspects James of being romantically attracted to the pretty, young teacher.

McKee has created five fascinating and richly detailed characters, and director Larissa Kokernot's production brings them to vibrant life. Gaydos neatly captures James' stubbornness and the tunnel vision that blinds him to the others' needs. Chang offers charm and vulnerability as the insecure, eager-to-please novice teacher, Bullock provides an elegant sketch of the briskly efficient principal whose orderly world is threatened, and Galindo scores as the earthy therapist struggling with problems of her own. Lorig provides a subtly nuanced portrait of Rachel, who seems at first selfish and unfeeling but who proves to be the only one with the toughness, empathy, and perception to realize what's best for Daniel and herself.

Presented by Chalk Repertory Theatre Company in association with and at the Black Dahlia Theatre, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Oct. 17–Nov. 22. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m. (800) 838-3006. www.thedahlia.com.