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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Truce Also see Gil's reviews of Spring Awakening and Next to Normal
At the center of Truce is Hank, an aging patriarch facing the end of his life. His one wish is simple: he wants to have an old-fashioned family Christmas, complete with all the warmth, nostalgia, and togetherness that phrase implies, including inviting his ex-wife Vera whom he hasn't seen in over 20 years. But nothing is ever simple in a fractured family, let alone one where the father, after coming out as gay many years ago, was left to raise his two children with his new partner after his wife left town. When Hank's estranged daughter Lily returns home after a 17-year absence, old wounds are reopened, unresolved tensions bubble to the surface, and the idea of calling a truce, let alone finding peace, seems a distant fantasy. The script features dialogue that feels honest and unforced. It gives space for humor to emerge naturally from the characters' relationships with each other, even as the heavier themes of regret, mortality, and forgiveness are explored; I did laugh out loud several times. The play moves between raw confrontations and quiet moments of reflection as the characters grapple with their pasts and try to reshape their relationships. However, with seven characters, all of whom have secrets to reveal, and almost all of whom have loud emotional outbursts and confrontations, it is a bit long and gets a bit heavy handed at times, bordering on melodrama. There are also a few too many cliched lines sprinkled throughout, such as "sometimes honesty isn't always the best policy," and "promises were made to be broken." Also, some additional clarity would benefit some of the issues I had with the timeline of when characters last saw each other. Fortunately, what makes Truce overcome most of these issues is how it resists the urge to offer neat resolutions. While we know the characters are in a better place at the end then when the play begins, we also understand that healing takes time, and sometimes, the truce we're offered is simply the chance to try again. I found myself quite moved by the ending. Under Cody Goulder's direction, the cast deliver uniformly strong performances, although some of the acting is uneven at times and some of the more intimate relationships seem awkward. Ultimately, Truce is a touching and timely reminder of the power of family–imperfect, messy, and worth fighting for. It's a well-crafted drama with defined characters and many familiar situations that may find you reflecting on your own relationships and the value of letting go. While I had a few quibbles with the play and this production, playwright Cody Dull has much to be proud of in his original piece that is a moving and honest look at family and forgiveness. Truce runs through April 27, 2025, at Stage Left Productions, 5930 West Greenway Road, Suite 1A, Glendale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.stageleftaz.com or call 623-285-6321 Director: Cody Goulder Cast: |
