“Henry Flamethrower” at Your Theatre

by Richard Pacheco

Your Theatre’s current production of “Henry Flamethrower” is smart, vivid, well acted. Inspired by real-life events, “Henry Flamethrower” tells the story of sixteen-year-old Henry, a confused and emotionally isolated young man who writes letters to the devil, unbeknownst to his deeply religious father, Peter. Henry's younger sister, Lilja, lies silent in a coma from a mysterious childhood accident in the family swimming pool. For a number of years, Lilja has been visited by miracles, and the sick have flocked to this silent child's bedside, claiming their prayers for healing have been answered in her presence. When Beth, a reporter, arrives to do a story about Lilja and her miracles, Henry confesses that he plans to disconnect Lilja's breathing ventilator and allow her to die. Beth must then decide whether she should expose Henry's plan and must confront her own assumptions about faith, spirituality and the intrinsic value of human life.

It was written by John Belluso (November 13, 1969 – February 10, 2006) was an American playwright best known for his works focusing on the lives of disabled people. He also directed a writing program for disabled people. Born in Warwick, Rhode Island, he began using a wheelchair at the age of 13 due to a bone disease, Camurati-Engelmann syndrome. He completed both Bachelors and Masters degrees at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Dramatic Writing program.

Nancy Leary is Beth Parker, a reporter for NPR. She is determined to write the truth about the miracles supposedly occurring because of the comatose Lilja. She is pleasant, but intense in her quest. She will not be turned back no matter what resistance she might encounter. But might there be more that simply meets the eye, perhaps another even darker motive that the simple quest for truth. Leary is top notch in the role, delivering a performance that is charming and shows an emotional resonance an depth to it that is engaging.

Robert Duquette is Peter Rhamelower, a man trying to deal not only with the death of his wife, but the tragic accident of his daughter which left the lovely child in a coma, yet somehow evoking miracles for those ill who come to see her. Rhamlower is a man beset by conflicts in his entire life. He struggles to deal with the tragic accident of his daughter and why his son said nothing, though he was with her by the pool for twenty minutes. He is both perplexed and at odds with his daughter’s ability to provoke miracles and having a tough time coming to terms with religion as he knew it and as he now knows it to be. Duquette is wonderful in the role, an excellent mix of pained and confident, frightened and self assured.

Benjamin Wilkie is Henry Rhamelower, that is Henry Flamethrower, the brother who watched silently as his sister floated in a pool for twenty minutes without calling out an alarm. He is a dark deeply troubled boy with all kinds of murky and sinister visions of the devil and evil. Is he evil or just confused and battling internal demons to come to terms with his life as he knows it and with the attention his sister draws to herself and her miracles? Wilkie is first-rate in the role, a deft mix of darkness and youthful arrogance and rebelliousness.  He is very believable in his conflicts between the aspects of his nature, light and darkness.

Stephen R. Kay directs this three person cast with a discrete touch, at once brooding and crystal clear, a mixture of the wonder of miracles, real or not and conforming those kinds of events in ordinary life.

The set by Mark P. Fuller is right on target with its multiple levels, a living room, a foyer and an entrance to upstairs all of which work very well.

The play moves forward with energy and verve, driven by an excellent cast that makes the most of the complexities they are dealt.

It will be presented at Your Theatre, 136 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA until Nov. 24. Tickets $15 all performances.