“. . . with the absolute heart of the poem of life butchered out of
their own bodies good to eat a thousand years.”
—Allen Ginsberg, from “Howl”
That’s the background. The play itself unfolds in the courtyard of Violet’s
mansion, next to Sebastian’s “well-groomed jungle” of a garden. Violet has
summoned a psychiatrist, expecting him to OK the lobotomy in exchange for
her promise to subsidize his work. Also present are Mrs. Holly and George,
Catharine’s impecunious mother and brother, already wholly owned Venable
subsidiaries. Catharine herself arrives in the charge of a tough nun from
the asylum.
Through 6/17: Thu-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PM, Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, 773-338-2177, raventheatre.com, $15-$43.
