WCT’s ‘Come Back’ finds laughter in grief

By MARILYN JOZWIK

Published Feb. 11, 2020

The American way of dealing with death has evolved over the
years. The tradition was that a husband, wife or other close relative arranged
a viewing of their loved one in a wooden casket, which was followed by a burial
of the casket.

Fast forward to 2013, the setting for “Come Back,” presented
by Waukesha Civic Theatre and directed by Mark E. Schuster. In the show Sky
(Bill Morris), who's perhaps 30-something, has been tasked with the job of
finding a final resting place for his girlfriend of many years, Erin (Kelly
Simon).

The task is not as simple as it sounds. Erin’s will, read by
her no-nonsense lawyer to Sky, stipulates that Sky, the executor, must travel
to sites around the US to find the best place for Erin’s ashes. His travels are
to take him to all sorts of unusual spots that offer all sorts of unique ways
to memorialize a loved one – from turning the remains into a vinyl record to
placing them in a snow globe. Says Sky: “A casket is so ordinary.”

Sky is accompanied by Erin’s pet parrot on his journey. He
is later joined by Erin’s mother (Paula Garcia), who wants Erin buried in the
family plot in a more traditional way.

But Erin, we learn, was not a traditional person. She didn’t
squeeze herself into a wedge of societal expectations – such as getting married
-- which caused a rift with her mother, even after a bizarre accident left Erin
paralyzed. Erin continued to follow her own quirky way after the accident,
caring for birds at the rehabilitation center she started. Sky loved all her
peccadilloes and idiosyncrasies, telling her in one of several flashback
scenes: “Many people don’t get you.” And that goes double for her mother, who
nonetheless has insisted she take charge of Erin’s funeral

It sounds like a pretty heavy drama, but “Come Back,” by
Neil Haven, has turned tears into laughs, sometimes with irreverent ideas on
final resting places for ashes, who gets to choose, and how we handle grief.

Morris tackles Sky with on-the-edge energy. Sky hates the
idea of the journey, has panic attacks, isn’t too fond of the parrot and has
deep issues with Erin’s mom. It is a recipe for lots of conflict and tension,
which indeed there is, as well as funny situations.

While Haven’s story and characters have promise, the many
scenarios Sky encounters for dealing with Erin’s remains become a little much.

I loved the flashback scenes with Simon’s Erin (in her
wheelchair) and Morris’ Sky, enjoying nature, life and each other’s company.
It’s clear they are soulmates. But flash forward to Sky’s long, wacky journey
into the bizarre world of purveyors of death and the tender relationship loses
steam.

The epitome of that was the death joke shop (a flatulence machine
emitting your loved one’s ashes? Seriously?) with the Ali Hakim-type salesman
played by Jim Santelle, who generally kept up with the slick banter. It just
wasn’t funny after a while.

Morris is wonderful as Sky as he tries to work through his
grief in an often clumsy and comical way. Says Sky of the grieving process:
“Why can’t I hurry up and get it over with.” 

Simon portrays a half-dozen characters Sky meets on his
journey, besides her pivotal portrayal of Erin, and does well with all. But she
really shines as Erin, making the audience embrace her character’s uniqueness
and mourn her loss.

Santelle also has his hands full of characterizations as he
segues from his main role as Sky’s friend Mel to a female jewelry clerk (who
can put ashes into just about any kind of bauble) and other female and male
characters.

Yet, I think the play might have benefited from Mel’s and
Erin’s portrayers confining themselves to just those characters.

Garcia always has given her portrayals layers of drama and
comedy and she does the same here. As Erin’s mother, Val, she has some
reflective moments but also shows a bitter side. “Val is very funny when her
sarcasm isn’t directed at you,” says Sky.

“Come Back” has much to say on the American way of death and
just how complicated that time can be for the survivors. As one character says:
“Ain’t it funny: the dead get more respect than the living.”

If you go

Who: Waukesha Civic Theatre

What: “Come Back”

When: Through Feb. 23

Where: 264 W. Main St., Waukesha

Info/Tickets: 262-547-0708; www.waukeshacivictheatre.org