“Fatal Attraction,” directed by Whitney Rydbeck of PCC’s Theatre Department, featured a mellow dramatic murder mystery that took place on the set of a Nantucket beach house. Aside from sharing the same title with the 1987 film “Fatal Attraction” directed by Adrian Lyne, the two have very few commonalities. In the production, the seductively sly and manipulative Blair Griffin witnesses the murder of her husband after which a chain of murderous events follow. Blair easily disposes of men in her life, as well as a woman in a lesbian love affair. Her disposal of such characters lends itself to her disposition as a casual killer for narcissist gain.
Jessica Phillips performed the role of Blair Griffin, the vulnerable, yet sociopathic actress, whose career has reached a plateau. Phillips executed her as Blair through her articulacy and her ability to convey frigid charm. In conclusion of her previous performances over the course of the semester, Phillips’ performance in “Fatal Attraction” shows her versatility as a stage performer.
Ulterior motives are part of the agendas of each of the characters in the play. Celebrity publicist Maggie Stratten, as played by Joanne Wu, helps orchestrate the murder of Blair’s husband in attempt to cause resurgence in Blair’s fading career as an actress.
Wu and Phillips share an overtly sexual lesbian scene in which the two engage in a hot and heavy make-out session. The scene seemed to be a surprise to the audience, however both actresses performed the scene without apparent awkwardness, despite their own sexual dispositions. This counts towards one of the other few scenes in which Blair takes part in lustful acts with the other characters.
What seemed to be a pivotal component to the set was the Jacuzzi built into the upper platform of the stage. The Jacuzzi, which was hidden beneath a moving floor panel, served as the main site in which a few of the characters were to be killed.
“Fatal Attraction” took place in two acts with a total of five scenes, all on the same set. The set designer and technical director, Eric Larson, and the stage crew skillfully crafted the set in the Little Theatre.
“Fatal Attraction” can still be viewed from June 11 to 13 at 8 p.m., as well as 2 p.m. on June 13 in the Little Theatre. Students, seniors and PCC Staff can obtain tickets at the door for $5. General Admission tickets are available for $10.
- EDITORIAL: Apologize about the real problem - April 23, 2014
- STATEMENT: District apologizes to Oscar winning alum - April 21, 2014
- EDITORIAL: The Forgotten Students - March 26, 2014
