“Dark Matters”….a reference to aliens or relationships (or both?) at Burlington County Footlighters

by Stephen Kreal

On Saturday October 12th , I saw a performance “Dark Matters” written by Roberto

Aguirre-Sacasa. The performance took place on Burlington County Footlighters intimate “Second Stage”, where the audience is extremely close to the performers. The Play was directed by Gabrielle Affleck and stage-managed by Chrissy Wick.

Aguirre-Sacasa is an American comic book writer, screenwriter, and playwright. Known for his work on the television series Riverdale, Glee, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and the HBO original series Pretty Little Liars and Big Love. He also worked for Marvel Comics and is Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics. Given these impressive writing credentials, it is no wonder that this script has supernatural and human elements to it.

Having read the script previously, I was prepared for the supernatural elements of the play. But I soon found myself captivated by the interpersonal relationships between the characters, which are really not as obvious in reading of the script. This is due in large part to the outstanding director choices by Gabby Affleck. The themes of trust and honesty are addressed with impressive realism. At no time did I feel like I was watching stage actors (two of whom I’ve seen perform on multiple occasions). I easily suspended my disbelief and felt as if I was looking into the home of a family in crisis.

The story revolves around the Cleary family consisting of: husband/father Michael Cleary (Gary Werner), his wife Bridget (Caity Brown), and their teenage child Jeremy (Madeleine Hynes). Matt Dell’Olio rounds out the cast playing local sheriff, Egan. Bridget goes missing and Michael reports her absence to local law enforcement. During questioning, the plot digs deeper and deeper into the relationship between Michael and Bridget.

Bridget would frequently go out late at night to stargaze, but we soon learn there may be far more to her late-night excursions than simply stargazing. As Sheriff Egan is interviewing Michael, Michael’s teenage daughter comes home from a night out. Immediately we are exposed to a well-acted, very natural relationship between a father and his disaffected teenage daughter. Hynes' performance was spot-on as a typical American teenager. Her fantastic costuming, designed by members of the cast and Jen Bloomberg, certainly helped to establish her character. Hynes displayed a range of emotions in scenes with Michael, and later with Bridget effortlessly.

Sheriff Egan (Dell’Olio) is a hard-boiled cop who is incredulous of the claims made by Michael Cleary. Dell'Olio not only looked the part, but was able to nonverbally convey the confidant swagger of a veteran law enforcement officer. The character was just quirky enough to make you wonder if he is more than just a local cop, perhaps something more sinister.

We learn Bridget has been writing a book about aliens, UFO’s, and extraterrestrial abduction phenomenon. Like the classic onion metaphor, as the play progresses, we learn more and more about the nature and purpose of her late night disappearances. Bridget Cleary (Brown) skillfully and incrementally builds suspense. Her scenes with Michael are intense as Michael unravels to the point of paranoid psychosis (due to sleep deprivation). Werner and Brown shared a flawless scene where much is revealed and nothing is settled. Werner’s “unraveling” is very well-acted. His speech patterns speed up and he is increasingly paranoid and desperate to save his family. Affleck’s direction no doubt guided Werner in establishing this aspect of the performance.

The simple set, designed by Perry Award winning, Jim Frazer, is simple and effective. The unit set is the living room of the Cleary family. Characters entered and exited through the front door and the stairway to the upstairs of the house. The sound design by Tim Sagges and lighting design also by Jim Frazer helped to set the atmosphere, stark at times, subdued at others, just like the action of the play. The lighting was subtle and balanced.

The ending of the play is purposefully nebulous. People who want a clear-cut, “cookie-cutter” conclusion may be disappointed. People who enjoy a thought-provoking, conversation-inducing theater evening will be thrilled. “Dark Matters” is a well-acted, well directed, technically sound, and thoroughly entertaining play. “Dark Matters” runs through Saturday, October 19th. You can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.bcfootlighters.com/show/darkmatters