The Half-Light

While feverishly working on next season’s posters for Portland Stage Company, I took a welcome break from my studio to see Monica Wood’s incredible The Half-Light on St. Patrick’s Day.

A year ago I was doing the same mad dash to finish all the poster illustrations in less than two months. Portland Stage juggles many factors in choosing their season, not to mention the logistics of casting, contracts, and commitments. It means a killer deadline for me, too!

I’d forgotten about all these ideas not chosen. The story involves Iris, a divorced secretary trying to find her calling as a medium. I was very direct with my first sketch, making use of the title in symmetry and meaning.

Andrew, a professor at the college where Iris works, is suddenly widowed and later courts her with a bouquet of irises. I tried to work them into nearly every sketch.

Iris practices her powers of clairvoyance by memorizing objects seen. She advocates paying “profound attention” while realizing that her purpose is less about seeing ghosts and more about really seeing the living.

Another variation on Iris and Andrew on opposite sides of the light.

A variation on that but with an emphasis on the perception with a catchy title treatment.

Same elements, but another variation.

Here an open eye to the dark side contrasts a closed eye in the daylight, suggesting the two realms of perception.

Another variation of Iris, flowers, the shadow of Andrew.

Here Iris is literally parting a starry mortal veil, with irises reaching up within her figure, suggesting hope and new beginnings.

This one got the green light, and in more ways than one. I gave Iris a green dress, specified in the script. I learned in the theater program that Monica had once met Alex Tanous, a psychic and ghostbuster, when he gave a talk at USM on color. She was wearing a green dress, and he singled her out from the back of the room, to tell her that green was the color of perception. I love when real moments inform fictional stories! Here’s the final illustration:

And look, it’s the dynamic duo of playwright Monica Wood and Director Sally Wood, not related but soul sisters forever, who collaborated to make this production a big hit.

Photo by Aaron Flacke

Marty and I dodged the Old Port crowds as we walked up to the theater on Sunday.

We met up with our cousin clan to see the show.

Plus, Wanda’s book group was also in attendance. They were stunned when Monica herself sat down next to them!

Bravo to Monica Wood for a deeply moving story, woven with delicate grace. The cast is incredible! Moira Driscoll’s Helen provides bold humor to Maggie Mason’s radiant Iris. And Teresa! Wow. The transformation from desperate alcoholic to new mother as played by Wilma Rivera is amazing to watch. She’s doing an Instagram takeover tomorrow at Portland Stage. Go behind the scenes!

Anita Stewart’s set design was spare, yet provided the fluidity of scene changes seamlessly. This scrim of blue acted as a veil and more. Kudos to Lighting Designer Bryon Winn for creating spirit worlds and bar scenes all in one.

The show closes this weekend. My theater mates all agreed, this is a spectacular production. You will literally cry and laugh. Go while you can!