Lyle Kessler's 'Orphans' is a masterclass in psychological manipulation, weaving a complex web of family dynamics that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story centers around two eccentric brothers, Phillip (Fred Woodley Evans) and Treat (Chris Walley), who are held hostage by their charismatic and ruthless "father figure" Harold (Forbes Masson).
When Harold, a drunken con artist with valuable bonds in his briefcase, stumbles into the brothers' home, he sets off a chain reaction of events that will change their lives forever. Initially presented as a victim, Harold soon reveals himself to be a master puppeteer, skillfully manipulating Phillip and Treat to do his bidding.
The play's theme of orphans is poignant, with Harold's own traumatic childhood experiences serving as a catalyst for his manipulative behavior. As he takes Phillip under his wing, Harold attempts to shape him into a more confident individual, while using Treat as leverage to gain control over the household.
However, beneath the surface of this twisted power play lies a complex web of emotions and motivations that are never fully explored. The director Al Miller skillfully crafts an atmosphere of tension and claustrophobia, making Harold's presence feel increasingly menacing.
The performances from the cast are outstanding, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their characters. As the scenario unfolds, you'll find yourself drawn into the world of these eccentric brothers, invested in their struggles and vulnerabilities.
Despite its flaws, 'Orphans' is a captivating theatrical experience that will leave you breathless. With its intricate character dynamics and pulse-pounding tension, it's no wonder this play has become a peculiar gem of a revival – one that demands to be seen on stage.
When Harold, a drunken con artist with valuable bonds in his briefcase, stumbles into the brothers' home, he sets off a chain reaction of events that will change their lives forever. Initially presented as a victim, Harold soon reveals himself to be a master puppeteer, skillfully manipulating Phillip and Treat to do his bidding.
The play's theme of orphans is poignant, with Harold's own traumatic childhood experiences serving as a catalyst for his manipulative behavior. As he takes Phillip under his wing, Harold attempts to shape him into a more confident individual, while using Treat as leverage to gain control over the household.
However, beneath the surface of this twisted power play lies a complex web of emotions and motivations that are never fully explored. The director Al Miller skillfully crafts an atmosphere of tension and claustrophobia, making Harold's presence feel increasingly menacing.
The performances from the cast are outstanding, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their characters. As the scenario unfolds, you'll find yourself drawn into the world of these eccentric brothers, invested in their struggles and vulnerabilities.
Despite its flaws, 'Orphans' is a captivating theatrical experience that will leave you breathless. With its intricate character dynamics and pulse-pounding tension, it's no wonder this play has become a peculiar gem of a revival – one that demands to be seen on stage.
! The plot sounds like a wild ride, full of twists and turns that'll keep you guessing till the very end. And the fact that the director is using atmosphere and tension to create this sense of claustrophobia is genius 
. The cast seems amazing too, with each actor bringing their own unique energy to the roles. I love how the theme of being an orphan taps into our collective understanding of what it's like to be vulnerable and in need of guidance 
. Overall, I'm super stoked to see this play live on stage – bring on the drama and suspense! 
. And can we talk about Forbes Masson's performance? He's absolutely chilling as the charismatic villain 
. What I love most about this play is how complex it is – there's always something new to discover beneath the surface. The cast does an amazing job bringing these characters to life, making you care deeply for Phillip and Treat 
. If you haven't seen "Orphans" yet, trust me, it's a wild ride you won't want to miss 
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and I gotta say, the main dude Harold is soooo messed up 
. He's like a master manipulator, using his past traumas to control these two brothers Phillip and Treat. But what really got me was how he slowly unravels to reveal this deeper vulnerability in him 
. The director did an amazing job building this creepy atmosphere that kept us on the edge of our seats 
. The cast is super talented, too - I loved how they brought their characters' complexities to life 
... I was totally invested in Phillip and Treat's desperation to escape their trap! The tension between the brothers, with Treat being like the voice of reason, while Phillip is just a wild card 
. And Forbes Masson's performance as Harold was chilling 
... I mean, who would've thought someone could make you feel both sorry for him and terrified at the same time? 
What really got me though was how Phillip's character evolved throughout the play... he starts off so vulnerable but by the end, he's like a wild animal on the loose 
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. And those performances? Forget about it, the cast is on point 
. I love how the play explores the theme of orphans and how it's all tied to Harold's traumatic childhood 
. It's like he's a master manipulator, pulling strings from behind the scenes 
. I don't know if I'd say it's a perfect play but I'm definitely going back for more 
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. And don't even get me started on Harold - he sounds like a total psycho 
... or does he? Is he really just a complex character with some messed up stuff from his past, or is he just a manipulative jerk? 
I'm still undecided about this one 
. still, if you're into that whole " twisted family dynamics" vibe, then maybe 'Orphans' is the play for you 
.
. The cast, too - I mean, who are these actors that can bring all this depth and nuance to their roles? Genius! 
... it's like, what do you even want from them? the tension in this play is palpable, and the cast does an amazing job of bringing these complex characters to life 
it's like, how can someone be so charming yet so evil? 
And the performances are insane! Fred Woodley Evans as Phillip is giving me ALL THE FEELS 
what really got me tho is how much depth there is in this play even tho it's not fully explored 
the atmosphere was SO tense and creepy 
. But what really gets me is how the play explores the theme of orphans... it's like, so poignant 
. The cast is also on point! Fred Woodley Evans as Phillip is giving me all the feels 
. The tension builds up so slowly, you can feel the claustrophobia and unease creeping in 
, it's like being trapped with these characters too 
I'm still reeling from the performances in 'Orphans'... Forbes Masson as Harold is literally chilling 
! I love how he weaves his character's backstory into the narrative, makes him so complex and believable. The brothers are so well-written too, Fred Woodley Evans and Chris Walley bring such depth to their roles 
. Still, I'd recommend 'Orphans' to anyone looking for a gripping theatrical experience! 
. It's like they forgot that half their users are scrolling through on their phones. Anyway, I did watch "Orphans" last night and I gotta say it was pretty intense 
. Like, there were so many plot threads that felt half-baked and never resolved. It's like they wanted to keep you on the edge of your seat but didn't care about actually giving you anything satisfying. Still, I'd def recommend it if you're into that sorta thing 
. What really got me though was how nuanced the performances were - each actor brought so much depth to their character that I found myself questioning everything until the very end 
. Overall, it's a wild ride you won't want to miss!