Ashes & Ink
Kathryn Erbe stars in a new play by first time playwright Martha Pichey that is getting an excellent production at the AMT Theater in Manhattan.
Rhylee Watson, Julian Slatkin, Javier Molina and Kathryn Erbe in a scene from Martha Pichey’s “Ashes & InK” at AMT Theater (Photo credit: Thomas Mundell, Mundell Modern Pixels)
Ashes & Ink, a new play by first time playwright Martha Pichey, is getting an excellent production at the AMT Theater in Manhattan. Tony-nominated actress Kathryn Erbe leads a strong cast smoothly directed by Alice Jankell.
The play tells the story of Molly (Erbe, in fine form, best known for “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) and her son Quinn (Julian Shatkin, the son of the director, handling a difficult role with aplomb). Quinn is an actor and an addict, currently in a rehab clinic but fighting to get out. He’s on a furlough of sorts to audition for RADA. Quinn was a child actor, and that’s how he got involved with drugs. Molly wants to help him but she doesn’t know how. The play does a good job of portraying their difficult relationship. Molly’s husband died a long time ago, and he is much missed.
Tamara Flannagan and Kathryn Erbe in in a scene from Martha Pichey’s “Ashes & InK” at AMT Theater (Photo credit: Thomas Mundell, Mundell Modern Pixels)
Molly is dating a widower named Leo (Javier Molina) who has a young son named Felix (Rhylee Watson, who does a nice job in a tricky role). Quinn and Felix have a cordial relationship but Leo doesn’t trust Quinn for obvious reasons. It gets worse when Felix finds a crack pipe in the dirt where his mother’s ashes are buried. Leo freaks out, confronting Quinn and Molly in a tense scene.
Also involved is Molly’s sister Bree (Tamara Flannagan). Bree and Molly are trying to sell recordings of bird calls, and eventually it is revealed that Bree is going blind. The bird calls are authentic and sound lovely; the excellent sound design is by Alex Attalla.
Late in the play Molly has a monologue that reveals a lot about her character; the play could use more of those.
Javier Molina, Julian Shatkin and Kathryn Erbe in a scene from Martha Pichey’s “Ashes & InK” at AMT Theater (Photo credit: Thomas Mundell, Mundell Modern Pixels)
The versatile and clever set is by Tim McMath, and Paul Hudson lights every scene well.
Ashes & Ink is a great chance to see a new play get a superb production with a top-notch cast.
Ashes & Ink (through November 3, 2024)
Paper Birch Productions, in association with the Anna L. Weissberger Foundation
AMT Theater, 354 West 45th Street, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit http://www.ashesink.ludus.com/index.php
Running time: 100 minutes without an intermission
Leave a comment