Theater Review: Rest

Rest is something nobody seems to get much of in OnStage Playhouse’s staging of Samuel D. Hunter’s “Rest,” on the boards just through Sept. 18 at OnStage Playhouse. Or maybe they get too much.

Hunter has staked out his native northern Idaho as his background for several plays, such as “A Bright New Boise” and “The Whale.”

“Rest” is set in a northern Idaho retirement home which is just about to close down (only three residents and a few staffers remain). The atmosphere is almost as cold as the outside temperature (this is snow country), the bleakness perhaps foretelling the future.

Leading the excellent cast (and running the show) is Anna Sandor as Etta, aged but still sharp as a tack, wife of nonagenarian Gerald (Nick Young), a former music professor and fan of postmodern sacred choral works. He’s especially fond of Arvo Pärt’s compositions. But now cowed by Alzheimer’s, he sees faceless beings and has a tendency to wander off.

The other resident is Tom (Tom Kilroy), who does not speak and seems capable only of sitting on the couch and watching TV, until we find out his secret later.

The residents are attended by two nurse’s assistants and best friends. Ginny (Talia Sade) is carrying a baby for best friend Faye (Nicki Barnes), a barren cancer survivor. And a new employee shows up: teenage born-again cook Ken (Marcel Ferrin), given to anxiety attacks.

Last but not least is Tom Steward as the home’s manager Jeremy, who seems to be in over his head.

It’s a grim situation, but one that Hunter treats without a trace of condescension, even when a fierce blizzard threatens and Gerald unexpectedly disappears (again), leaving the rest to confront their own demons and mortality.

OnStage’s James Darvas directs with as sure a hand as one can, given the sparseness of the script. He’s added loud noises, some shouting and sometimes frantic pacing, perhaps to give the audience a nervous feeling as well.

The set (Patrick Mason), costumes (Brad Dubois), lighting (Dylan Carter) and sound design by Estefania Ricalde and Jaden Guerrero all give the remote feeling required of the setting.

“Rest” is on the grim side, but the cast is excellent and there is a glimmer of hope at the end.