12A • January 29, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com
‘Dead Guilty’
challenges
the cast and
the audience
Psychological thriller at
Coaster Theatre promises
twists, ‘big reveal’
By Nancy McCarthy
For Cannon Beach Gazette
When Julia suffers a serious leg injury in a
car accident that killed her married lover, she
is only just beginning a journey of psycholog-
ical terror.
From the solicitous widow who arrives to
help her, the well-intentioned counselor who
advises her and the misunderstood handyman
who tries to maintain her home, everything
conspires to prevent Julia from a fast recovery.
In fact, someone in this suspense thriller
may just end up “Dead Guilty.”
This play, with numerous twists and turns,
opens at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse Jan.
29 and runs until Feb. 20.
Appearing in the play are Priscilla Fairall,
as Julia; Diane Borcyckowski, as Margaret;
Kathleen Lacaze, the counselor; and Jordan
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serves at this time of year for productions that
may be more serious or experimental than
others produced at the Coaster during the rest
of the year.
“We don’t really do much drama any-
more,” said Edward James, who directs the
play. “In Cannon Beach this (the winter sea-
son) is the slot that is dramatic. With this play,
you have to work a little harder.”
Although the audience will have to wait
until the play’s very last sentence for the “big
reveal,” the story is not exactly a mystery,
James said. “It’s more of a character study of
two women,” he added.
Playwright Richard Harris has written a
tight play, James noted.
“I’ve come to respect the author’s ability.
There’s not a stray word in it. He really is a
skilled playwright.”
“Dead Guilty” is composed of 20 short
scenes, each providing a bit of information
that eventually is woven together to complete
the story.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE
Katherine Lacaze and Jordan Griffin in “Dead Guilty.”
Priscilla Fairall
Jordan Griffin
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to do it in quick time. There are a lot of light
tricks, too. It’s challenging, really challeng-
ing.”
James, who also designed the set, has been
in theater throughout his life. He has a mas-
ter’s degree in playwriting and appeared in
theaters in the Midwest and South. He per-
formed in regional theaters in New York and
did stints on “Guiding Light,” “All My Chil-
dren,” “The Cosby Show” and “Dr. Ruth.”
In the Northwest, James, as artistic director
at Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre in Port-
land, directed more than 50 shows in 13 years.
He also directed plays at the Astor Street Opry
Company and the former River Theater.
At the Coaster, James directed “Bell, Book
and Candle” last fall, and “She Loves Me” in
2008.
Like James, Diane Borcyckowski, who
plays the grieving widow, has extensive the-
Diane Borcyckowski
ater experience, with more than 50 lead roles
in stage productions, including “My Fair
Lady” and “Streetcar Named Desire,” and
appearances on television’s “Days of Our
Lives” and “Little House on the Prairie.”
Her recent performances at the Coaster
were in “Grace & Glorie,” “Come Blow Your
Horn” and “Dixie Swim Club.”
Borcyckowski, a Portland resident, origi-
nally was asked to direct “Dead Guilty,” but
when she read the script, “I said I wanted that
role.”
“That role” is of Margaret, a middle-aged
woman who has mastered the art of manip-
ulation. She also has learned how to accom-
modate a marriage involving a charming but
unfaithful husband.
“One of the most attractive qualities about
a man is his sense of humor,” Margaret tells
Julia. “Except for commitment, of course.”
Each of the four characters in the play have
Katherine Lacaze
their own backstories that ultimately inter-
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“Many of the characters are guilty of
something,” and are seeking redemption, said
Priscilla Fairall, who plays Julia.
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is dealing with the numerous scenes that she
appears in because each scene begins and
ends in the middle of the action; it isn’t exact-
ly a linear plot.
Those scene changes require the charac-
ters to suddenly switch emotions, motivations
and even the plentiful props, including pills,
crutches and a wheelchair.
To prepare for her role, Fairall had to think
about what it would be like to be a “person
who had an affair and how to present this
woman” and why her character would contin-
ue to invite the widow into her home.
She must also decide if what Margaret tells
her is true: “There’s always an answer.”
When it’s broken, we can fi x it.
For orthopedic care including sports medicine, come to Providence.
Brooke Benz, M.D., is here to help you get back in action. If you’ve been sidelined by an
injury or pain is stopping you from doing what you love, Dr. Benz gives you personalized
care backed by decades of experience in sports medicine and knee, hip and shoulder joint
replacement. Board certifi ed in orthopedic surgery with a subspecialty in treating sports
injuries, Dr. Benz can help you get moving again.
Brooke Benz, M.D.
Orthopedic surgery
To make an appointment or get more information
about our orthopedic services, call 503-717-7060
or visit www.providence.org/northcoast.
725 S. Wahanna Road
Seaside, OR 97138