There's no love lost between eccentric widow Mrs. Savage [Michon R. Givens] and her three adult step-children [played by Eric Arvidson, Blair Berry, and Josh Register]. Now that she has inherited her late husband's $10-million, and is determined to help strangers fulfill their dreams and put the money to good use, the greedy step-children have her committed to a rest home called "The Cloisters" where they believe she will be under their control and can wrest the fortune for themselves.
That's the set-up for John Patrick's 1950 comedy The Curious Savage now playing under A. John Collier's direction in Millbrook, and with three actors reprising roles from the 2016 production at Prattville's "Way Off Broadway Theatre".
But there's more: the residents of "The Cloisters" are a mixed bag of psychologically damaged misfits who are otherwise harmless and exhibit some of the best human traits: honesty, mutual support, acceptance of their own and other people's conditions, and an inherent goodness of nature. -- Actors RaeAnn Collier, Toshia Martin, Gage Parr, Katie Register, and Michael Snead exhibit distinct personalities that we are immediately drawn to, in part due to their realistic depictions, and who are clearly intended to contrast with the devious step-children.
Dr. Emmitt [Rodney Winter] and nurse Mrs. Willie [Bre Gentry], sympathetically care for the residents while trying to keep the peace within the Savage family.
There are plenty of comic moments amidst the family conflicts, delivered with assurance by the able cast. And though Patrick's old-fashioned storytelling includes lengthy exposition and methodical plot revelations that stretch the playing time to two-and-a-half hours [a quicker line delivery and more rapid pace could help], interest is sustained by the talents of the actors. -- Ms. Martin's lively and effervescent behavior gives welcome energy. And in the aforementioned reprised roles, Mr. Arvidson is thoroughly corrupt and frightening; Ms. Collier's litanies of the things her character "hates" are delivered with perfect detachment; and Ms. Givens takes he central role of Mrs. Savage to a mature level that puts attention on conflict and resolution while achieving our sympathies and support for her actions.
No spoilers as to how it all turns out, but along the way audiences are challenged to figure out what is normal, the effects of trauma on individuals, that actions often do speak louder than words...good lessons for everyone.
