Rachel, a cheerful mother of two, comes home to find out that her husband has hired a hitman to kill her. While this could act as the entire synopsis of another play, it’s just a small detail in the dark comedy, “Reckless,” presented by Boot and Buskin at the Performing Arts Center. Originally written in 1983 by Craig Lucas, “Reckless” stars junior theater major and philosophy minor Jessie Gherardi as Rachel.
“Rachel is a very hopeful person,” Gherardi said. “She’s all about finding the bright side of things. She’s a strong believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. She’s kind of childish, but she’s a good person.”
After her husband informs her of his actions, Rachel escapes to the train station and is picked up by Lloyd. As Rachel adjusts to a life with Lloyd and his paraplegic wife, Pooty, she’s forced to cope with the fact that what’s happened to her isn’t just going to disappear.
“Things just happen,” Gherardi explained. “Bad things happen to good people. There’s not a positive excuse for everything.”
Leslie Noble, a Le Moyne alumnus and faculty member of the SU drama department, serves as the production’s director.
“She’s super, super awesome,” Gherardi said. “Everyone is comfortable with her as a director and she’s great at getting you to think in a different way. I’ve learned a lot of acting tips and exercises from her that I will hold onto for the rest of my life.”
Though Gherardi has had plenty of theater experience, “Reckless” is the first lead role she’s ever tackled.
“It’s scary, but it’s fun,” she said. “I learned a lot. I’ve always played character roles and the lead is kind of a character role, but it felt like something new.”
The play presented plenty of challenges for the entire cast, including the characters themselves.
“Learning to like the characters [was tough],” Gherardi explained. “Leslie says you always have to be on your character’s side. These people do evil things and you have to see the better side of them.”
The production also heavily emphasizes both the laughs and the grim nature of the show.
“Trying to find the balance between the [comedy] and the darkness is challenging,” Gherardi noted. “There are really awful things happening and they’re funny, but we don’t want to lose sight of the tragic side of things.”
That being said, Gherardi admits that performing “Reckless” is never less than exhilarating.
“The script lends itself to a different show every time,” she said. “Some people play more than one person, the set is tricky, etc. It’s exciting, though. The show never gets old or boring. We find different relationships between these characters every time we do it.”
“Reckless” runs Feb. 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. performance on Feb. 23. Tickets are $5 for students. All performances will take place in the Marren Studio at the W. Carroll Coyne Center for the Performing Arts. To reserve tickets, visit lemoyne.edu/vpa, call (315) 445-4200 or visit the PAC box office (hours are 4-7 p.m. every Monday through Friday). Seats are limited.
