Olney Theatre Center: The Brothers Paranormal

What the Hell was that?  I don't often ask that question after seeing a play--especially not one that I enjoyed as much as this one. Was it a Comedy?  Was it a Horror?  Was it an Entho-historical expose?  Was it Real?  Who was real?   All of these question ran through my mind at one point or another.  All of them, in spite of their contradictions, honestly could have been answered, "yes."

In a nutshell, two families meet.  One is Thai.  Immigrants to America.  They bring with them dark spirits.  The younger son, Max, contrives a business to suss-out and explain away ghosts and other paranormal phenomenon.  Enter an African American couple, Delia & Felix.  A ghost who speaks Thai is haunting them.  Who else can they turn to?  From there, all bets are off!  Shits gonna happen.  Sometimes it's funny, and sometimes it's honestly horrifying.  This little cross cultural, cross genre gem is the product of Thai American playwright, Prince Gomolvilas.  

The actors were in for a penny, and in for a pound--how else could the audience be expected to suspend disbelief and hold tight to the reins as the pieces were tossed at us, settled before our very eyes with edges we could not complete see and, then, eventually revealed?  The performances of the African American couple stood out best of all.  DeJeanette Horne as Felix proved that chops proven on great Shakespearean performances are just as good in campy-not-really, horror drama-dies. (Now, that's a sentence I never thought I'd write!) Lolita Marie's portrayal of Delia, who is the focus of the Ghost's attentions was powerful.  I know it's odd to say, but I'd love see her do Lady Macbeth, against DeJeanette's King Macbeth.  She had you in her charms from the first moment she appeared on stage, and she didn't waste your attention at any place along the journey.

This isn't to dis the other actors.  They were all wonderful.  Cindy Chang, as the matriarch, Tasanee, made the most of every comic line for the most laughs.  Eymard Cabling as the older brother, Visarut, was oddly submissive in a away that intrigued, and was reveal only later to magnificent effect.  He played his character's cards so well.  Tommy Bo in the lead as the younger brother was mostly spot on; however, with so many lines to deliver and live into, there were times when I was just listening to dialogue and not watching a character speak from the heart.  It wasn't distracting, I just am always deconstructing the performances in my head as I watch them.

The set was simple and effective.  The woman seating next to me at intermission told me she had a friend who had seen it on Thursday, and was returning to see it again tomorrow, Sunday, because she was so intrigued by the divide between the living and ghosts.  While I did enjoy the experience, @ $85 + $2 for the privilege of have a freaking program?  Best wishes to her friend.  It was fun, and different, and I'm glad I went.

Tasanee (Cindy Chang) gives her younger son, Max (Tommy Bo) some motherly advice

Visarut (Eymard Cabling) and Max look for evidence of paranormal activity

Max, Delia, Felix (DeJeanette Horne) and Visarut in Delia and Felix's apartment

The Ghost arrives and only Delia, (Lolita Marie) can see it, as Max and Visarut react to her terror

The Ghost, Jai (Justine "Icy" Moral), appears!