By John Lyle Belden
No one invites him but he’s always there – first to arrive, last to leave. And no one knows you better.
Fear is a personified character in “Moving On,” the new play by Konnor Graber making its premiere with Eclipse Productions of Bloomington. Given life by Dan Heise, he reflects anxieties by speaking others’ darkest thoughts, reminds them of their shortcomings, and persists when not obeyed.
This draws young married couple Leo (Sam Durnil) and Mia (Shayna Graber) toward their breaking point. They feel a growing distance between them, even while next to each other in their small apartment. They rarely even sleep together. Meanwhile, Fear is (literally) lurking, practically stalking them.
They seek help from a therapist, Elizabeth (Erin Parks), whom they call Doc. She tries to provide insight, but has issues of her own, still grieving her late husband, George. Fear insists she regard him as gone forever and give in to despair, taking a bit of her resolve with each visit.
In memories of trauma, Heise appears as Mia’s perfection-demanding father, who was also her pastor and sports coach; and Parks portrays Leo’s barely coherent alcoholic mother. The wounds are mostly psychological and run deep: She is never good enough. He will always be abandoned.
This drama delivers an emotional wallop. It’s a fascinating examination of abuse arising from dysfunction, parents not connecting with their children in vastly different but just as damaging ways. We also get the difficult healing journey of grief in Doc’s story. As each of this trio is tested, is Fear pushing them into their personal hell, or through it?
Konnor Graber said he based this play on a combination of his own memories and people he has known. The story came together fairly quickly several years ago, and after previous attempts to get it produced, he and Eclipse decided to do it themselves. Shayna (nèe Survil, now married to Konnor) bravely takes on this very personal drama, as does Durnil – both experienced with intense roles for this company. As Konnor noted that Doc had been written as an older woman, we see Parks presenting both the crisis and remaining potential of middle age deepening her part of the story. Heise is sharp and uncompromising – it’s tempting to think of this as a devil role, but such entities usually take pleasure in the pain they inflict. He is merely a harsh aspect of humanity, expressing its nature without malice or sadism.
The production is aided greatly by Joshua Lane’s sound design (he has done every Eclipse show so far) and lighting design by Allie Mattox. Salem Winterstein is stage manager.
A personal, perhaps relatable, and literally fearful mental health journey, “Moving On” has performances Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25 at Constellation Playhouse, 107 W. 9th St., Bloomington. Optionally, following the Saturday and Sunday shows is their “Cocktail Hour” Fundraiser with live music and a chance to get to know the cast and company. For information and tickets, go to eclipseproductionscompany.com.
