Growing up in the city, Henrietta went through schooling, got a job and a career ahead of her. Yet she feels there is a hole in life and she needs to find out what is missing. She leaves the city to search for the answer in the summer. Taking up the job to repair an old mansion that is rumored to be haunted, Henrietta has no idea what is upon her.
The shape contrast among the five characters in the play “Kindred Spirits” is where the humor lies. As a newcomer of the house, sensible Henrietta is eager to learn more about the rest of the residents. Camille, a sweet old lady who lives in the house, loves to talk about the happiest time of her life. Max, on the other hand, is the sad shy man who stays in the attic for most of the time. Lane and Hilshire come and go at odd times. As Henrietta learns more about everyone, the truth of the rumors reveals.
Director David Hsieh said he and playwright Maggie Lee tried to look for Asian Americans when they casted the roles of Henrietta and Lane. May Nguyen who plays as Henrietta is Vietnamese American and Hana Lass who plays as Lane is Japanese American. Hsieh said though the story was not a portrait of Lee’s life, since Lee wrote from her experience and encounters, Asian Americans were more preferable for the roles.
Hsieh said while an average play takes about six weeks to prepare, the cast of “Kindred Spirits” only had three weeks prior to their first show on July 16. I felt the short amount of time is not a problem for the crew. The performance was an outstanding one with the sophisticated acting skills.
The story of the play, though set in a haunted house, did not give me chills or nightmares. Lee’s take on the idea of ghosts and spirits is a total creative surprise. Rather than worrying about unexpected effects that would make me jump, the story put a smile on my face the whole time. Like Henrietta in the story, I went to see the play without knowing what to expect but I left the theater with kindred spirits of my own.
“Kindred Spirits”, a play by Repertory Actors Theatre, runs July 16 to August 8 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the Richard Hugo House at 1634 11th Ave., Seattle. Tickets range from $6-$15.
For more information, visit www.reacttheatre.org
