World Premiere The Rape of the Sabine Women by Michael Crowley at the Duke-Worthwhile, See It

The world premiere of Michael Yates Crowley play is entitled "The Rape of the Sabine Women by Grace B. Matthias." The famous Renaissance painting "The Rape of the Sabine Women" was painted by Pietro de Cortona (b Italy 1596-1669).  The painting depicts the mythological tale of ancient Roman founded on the abduction & rape of women from nearby provinces.  In the painting Sabine is trapped between the clashing of her husband who abducted her & her father attempting to save her.  This painting is the omnipresent background for the play.  The heroine is high school student Grace B. Matthias (a riveting Susannah Perkins).  She is a victim of "date" rape.  The cleverly staged play compiles contemporary media & technology to provide news, information & a search engine for human contact.  Google goes into overdrive with info of numerous facts; overwhelming & opposing in content.  Crowley's courageous & inventive play is about rape & its aftermath and after that, it's multi-layered & complex.  The one Act plays is set in a small town high school focused on football its players.  The mascot for the school is the Romans; a common squadron for high school athletes.  The mildly amusing first half of the play feels sophomoric.  It depicts high school stereotypes:  football jocks, cheerleaders, disillusioned but well intentioned teachers/counselors.  Grace doesn't fit into any preconceived category nor does she fit in at school.  She's an only child of a single mother who works nights. Grace is wide eyed innocence, adrift but for her friend Monica (a terrific Jeena Yi). Monica is a pretty cheerleader who keeps her smarts & troubles to herself.  When one of the football players, Jeff, pays attention to Grace she becomes drawn to him.  Jeff says he only wants to do the opposite of causing her pain.  Bobby, Jeff's football buddy bullies Grace & belittles gays.  But Bobby protests too much masking his homosexuality.  Half-way through the tides turn to rough terrain.  Bobby finds Grace & Jeff together & instigates trouble & intoxication for the couple.  Grace gives into peer pressure to consume alcohol.  Jeff does the opposite of protecting & loving Grace.  He  has sex with her without her consent.  The aftermath of litigation, victimization of the victim & media frenzy are carried downfield with blazing impact.  The art teacher (an outstanding Andy Lucien) is a life-line for Grace.  His understanding & candor light a fire of perseverance & compassion in her.  The real saving grace comes from Jeff's father whose eulogy at his son's funeral calls into question the wrong message fathers are passing down to their sons regarding how men treat women.  Crowley has written an illuminating play.  It shouts against the violence & hatred that continues to scorch humanity.