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‘High’ expectations
Lanny Nagler
Turner, left, and Evan Jonigkeit share a moment in “High,” which opened last night at the Cutler Majestic.
There are three characters in “High” — a priest, a nun and a drug addict — and though it sounds like the beginning of a joke, the play’s plot is actually very serious.
“It’s about faith and addiction,” says director Rob Ruggiero, a Milford, Mass., native. “The play deals with a religious faith, but also a belief in a higher power, the faith in yourself to change.”
The show takes place in a Catholic rehab center, where a former alcoholic nun (played by Kathleen Turner) agrees to sponsor a 19-year-old crystal meth addict. Though it’s not strictly autobiographical, the production is based on the experiences of its playwright, Matthew Lombardo, a recovered meth user.
“We’ve always been concerned with honoring Matthew’s journey,” Ruggiero says. “To make sure the light that we represent onstage is truthful and not theatricalized — and respectful of that addiction community.”
Needless to say, the piece does not glamorize substance abuse. There is comedic relief in the story, through the unlikely friendship of the three main characters, but Ruggiero says it’s certainly no joke.
“It’s very raw at times. ... This play could serve as a wake-up call for some people, in terms of the destructing nature of drug addiction.”
Turner’s turn
Kathleen Turner’s film credits are numerous and acclaimed, but the husky-voiced actress’s roots are on the stage. “There are a lot of actors who come to the theater to explore, but Kathleen is the real deal,” says Ruggiero, her director in “High.” “She’s as candid as you would imagine, but she’s always respectful.”
“It’s about faith and addiction,” says director Rob Ruggiero, a Milford, Mass., native. “The play deals with a religious faith, but also a belief in a higher power, the faith in yourself to change.”
The show takes place in a Catholic rehab center, where a former alcoholic nun (played by Kathleen Turner) agrees to sponsor a 19-year-old crystal meth addict. Though it’s not strictly autobiographical, the production is based on the experiences of its playwright, Matthew Lombardo, a recovered meth user.
“We’ve always been concerned with honoring Matthew’s journey,” Ruggiero says. “To make sure the light that we represent onstage is truthful and not theatricalized — and respectful of that addiction community.”
Needless to say, the piece does not glamorize substance abuse. There is comedic relief in the story, through the unlikely friendship of the three main characters, but Ruggiero says it’s certainly no joke.
“It’s very raw at times. ... This play could serve as a wake-up call for some people, in terms of the destructing nature of drug addiction.”
Turner’s turn
Kathleen Turner’s film credits are numerous and acclaimed, but the husky-voiced actress’s roots are on the stage. “There are a lot of actors who come to the theater to explore, but Kathleen is the real deal,” says Ruggiero, her director in “High.” “She’s as candid as you would imagine, but she’s always respectful.”
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