Theatre Review: The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois Reveals The “Madness” Behind Madness
The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois has begun its Atlantic Theater run till June 26, and it is certainly worth the ticket. Written and directed by Adam Rapp (Red Light Winter) Purple Lights delves right into the heart of mental illness, and is an emotional look into the loss of a mind. It will leave you with a greater sense of clarity and empathy on the subject.
Mental illness is not an easy discussion, especially in terms of U.S. prisons’ vast amount of mentally ill inmates. Being locked in prison for insanity seems like an inapproachable subject, to which William Apps’s Ellis is at the forefront. Apps makes Ellis the pinnacle of pity. He constantly tries to keep himself composed and convinced in the inner goodness of his soul. He is so fraught with anxiety and insecurity, there are moments when you just want to press pause on the play and hold him. He is constantly twitching and fidgeting, trying to figure out how to not break down in front of his own life. The physical and spiritual demeanor of Ellis is that of a wounded puppy that has a horrible bite when enraged. Knowing that you wish to comfort a man whom has committed a heftily dark crime will rock you personally. You want to comfort a criminal beyond his sins because you see his disorder and pain.
Ellis suffers from Bipolar Effective Disorder with Psychosis, which means, under duress, his mind can blackout into violent rages to both himself and others. The sadness of seeing this meek, noble soul become an incoherent monster is heart-wrenching. Even the slightest change to a room lamp or basic question can trigger uncontrollable stress within Ellis. It is as if all his nobility fades out to let wrath enter. He goes from sweet man to possessed one, which is rightfully terrifying and uncomfortable to watch. The play is magnificent in bringing out the empathy for and terror in this life-clutching disorder. It makes the audience feel like it is a fly on the wall of Ellis’ apartment, watching him as he confronts his past in the form of his daughter Catherine, played by Katherine Reiss.
Katherine Reiss and Susan Heyward (Monique) do an amazing job of playing the outsider perspectives on Ellis. These two young women are frightened, confused, and sympathetic to his being. The first 20 minutes of the play can feel like absolute silence. Here you are made to quietly observe the life of Ellis and then the beginning of his newfound relationship with Catherine and her friend Monique. The tension and awkwardness is cringe-worthy but perfect in building realism. Silence is used to symbolize the lack of knowledge and trust felt towards Ellis. Moreover, Catherine and Monique are not entering Ellis’ home with the “greatest” stories of his past. Thus, they use their typical teenage angst to form quick, smart wit and break tension. Rapp did a fantastic job of assuring that for all the darkness discussed in the 95 minute play, there is always an interplay of light to make it approachable. The young ladies allow for comic relief and even bring out the humor in Ellis. There were quite the few laugh out loud moments to make the emotional dive feel like it can be swam. In some ways, that is the whole point of the play. For however dark humanity is or undergoes in its experiences, there could still be light in it.
It is quite amazing what you learn from yourself and humanity by watching conversations in an Illinois living room. The whole set is just a living room, but that room becomes an expansive look into the soul. There are moments when you want to cry, laugh, curl up in a ball, and be still as you try to absorb all that is around you. As you watch Catherine learn more about the heart behind her mysterious father adn his bipolarity, you hope the best for their relationship. Despite his past actions, you want Ellis to get better, be forgiven, and feel loved by others, especially his daughter Catherine. You will definitely enjoy yourself during Purple Lights, but, more importantly, you will get to know yourself a little better through the eyes of Ellis.
For More Information and to buy tickets Click Here. The Purple Lights Of Joppa, Illinois will play until June 26, 2016 at the The Atlantic Theater. It is located on Linda Gross Theater, 336 West 20th Street Atlantic Stage 2, 330 West 16th Street. Enjoy!
