Anachronisms succeed as a source of laughs, and we all like a good laugh, but not when it trespasses. Fratti compounds the problem by seemingly permitting cast members to choose the century in which they wish to deliver their lines. Wren is at its core a calibrated examination of good and evil. A tightly conceived tale plus a startling coincidence makes for riveting, suspenseful storytelling that is carefully woven with Godwin's underlying spiritual journey, with Moss as his guide. Sallows and Hayenga render especially effective performances and, with Robert Ross's well-considered performance as well, overcome weaknesses in the remainder of the cast.
Writing plays about inherently controversial religious issues can be a thankless task.
The strength and significance of these parallels, and the lessons to be learned from them, are best communicated when they are at their most subtle. This is a notion only partly realized here. This world premiere represents an impressive start. Copyright January 1999, Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp .