an ingenious synopsis
Berkshire Theatre Festival's production of "The Batting Cage" is an ingenious synopsis of the variety of ways people have of responding to loss, grief and change. The entire story takes place in a hotel room in St. Augustine, FL (complete with tacky hotel room wallpaper). Two sisters, Julianna (Linda Gehringer) and Wilson (Melissa Leo), have come, at their deceased sister’s request, for a ritual of moving on.
It is apparent from the beginning that these two live in two different worlds. They are different. They deal with grief differently. Gehringer’s Julianna is non-stop talk and non-stop fidget as she paces about the room, changing from one outfit to another, and continually trying to engage her sister in conversation and tourist activities.
Her delivery is comedic and poignant. Wilson, on the other hand, is sullen, cynical, and depressed. Leo must rely heavily on facial expression and body language to convey her character, with few lines to speak. She does an excellent job.
In the end a few surprising plot twists and simple expressions of love bring Wilson to life and Julianna back from her distractions. With the last-minute arrival of their mother, Peg (Beth Dixon), they find the common ground of simple, sweet family connection. And life goes on.