Player's Ring - Rush

In Portsmouth, NH, on Macy Street, turning it's back to the waterfront, lies a small brick playhouse, known as, "The Players Ring." Tonight, "Rush," the first show of the new year opened for the Players Ring. Rush, is an original play written by Callie Kimball, directed by Jasmin Hunter, and stars Kate Kilbert, Kyle Milner, Whitney Smith, Liz Locke, Todd Hunter, Michael Towle, Grady O'Neil, And Linda Chase. The play takes place between the year 1899 and 1900, where two siblings, Belinda and Frank played by Kate Kilbert and Kyle Milner, have journeyed from Chicago to Dawson City, Yukon. They find refuge in the company of two owners of a local whorehouse, Alice and Rosie played by Whitney Smith and Liz Locke.
This story is told in a nonlinear narrative to tell the story of Belinda and Frank's journey, and though this method of story telling is not told often in stage productions, it is what makes the performance work. Right from the first scene, introducing us to these characters, we the audience are left with questions as to, "What are they looking for?" "Where do they come from?" "Are they running from something?" As each scene segues through time, a new piece of evidence is discovered. Presenting new pieces to the puzzle for the audience to fit together and discover the big picture in the end. The characters were very well written, and likewise to the performances of each actor in the ensemble. None of the characters end up being the ones they begin as in their introductions.
What amazed me the most, was the nonlinear storytelling and likewise to the time period and location where the story took place. Like the flow of the story, not many old western stories have been presented in this way. Likewise to how this nonlinear western was told in such a small space with very little props and set pieces, allowing the audience to pay more attention to the story and characters. As I said, every performance in this ensemble was equally great, with the exception of two; Kate Gilbert and Kyle Milner. Their chemistry as brother and sister is fully realized and completely believable. Both full flesh out their characters and bring to life who their characters are and what things either of them are capable of doing for each others own safety. Especially in a time (and place) where people discover things about themselves they never knew existed. And that is how a great play is written, produced, and performed.
This show runs from January 2nd to January 18th. If you live in the Portsmouth or New Hampshire area and are looking to treat yourself to a fine piece of theater, to kick off the new year, then I highly recommend going to see and support The Players' Ring's new original production of "Rush."