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WE REVIEW “THE WEIR” AT GROVES THEATER IN MORONGO VALLEY

The Groves Cabin Theater of Morongo Valley opened “The Weir,” by Conor McPherson this past weekend. Reporter Rebecca Havely attended and offers this review of the production…
“The Weir,” by Conor McPherson, takes place in a rural Irish pub where the characters share a few drinks and stories of local lore with a stranger, Valerie, skillfully portrayed by Wendy Cohen, who has just moved to an old house near the pub. Howie Cohen expertly portrays the charming and confident Finbar, a local businessman showing the stranger around her new town. Brendan, the play’s pub owner is genuinely played by Dave Jessup, and if his character had a place here in town, I would definitely frequent the establishment for “a pint and a short one,” as the character offers the others throughout the piece. Jessup’s Irish brogue makes you wonder if it’s actually his own. Jessup also designed the set on the cozy Groves stage, expertly. Other locals at the pub include, Kurt Schauppner as Jack, a cantankerous local mechanic who shares an eerie fairy fable with the group; Jim—Jack’s assistant and pal, played by Jim Robertson—spins a haunting ghost story; and Howie Cohen, as Finbar who tells of a mysterious Ouija board scare from his youth. When Wendy Cohen as Valerie tells her own melancholy tale, which brought on tears more than fears, she shocks and softens the rough men in the pub. Jim delivers a very touching goodbye to the stranger. Schauppner’s character is the last to leave as he shares a somber story with Valerie of a long-lost love that haunts him still, in his most vulnerable and sincere moment in the piece. The beautifully written play paired with the extremely talented cast of actors and the directorial finesse of Karl Weimer makes “The Weir” another award-worthy success for The Groves Cabin Theater.
The intimate Groves Cabin Theater has sold out for the run of the production. “The Weir” runs Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. through May 31. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list, should there be any cancelations; leave a message at 760-365-4523.

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