Midnight Requisition 

Reviewed by Paul Birchall 
Skypilot Theatre Company at Hollywood’s Theatre of Arts 
Through April 29 

Death changes everything — not only for those who die but for the folks who are left behind.  Sometimes people who have hated each other for decades discover that the person who just died was the catalyst for their dislike, and the hatred dissolves into the air like ether. This is essentially the theme of playwright Craig Jessen’s thoughtful family drama, which deals with the residue of estrangement and bitterness.

David (Morry Schorr) is a genial, idealistic and boisterous bon vivant who, after a hero’s career during World War II, never recaptured the glory of his green days, and instead drifted from hopeless-get-rich scheme to hopeless-get-rich scheme. After being dumped by his wife Maggie (Michelle Begley), he raised their three daughters, who understandably grew up deeply resenting their absentee mom. 

Although we first see David reminiscing about the past, it quickly becomes evident that he himself exists only in memory, as he has recently died in a car accident. Troubled youngest daughter Gray (Serena Anis) is the only one of her sisters, which include businesswoman Heather (Kelsey Risher) and oldest sister Ash (Laura Walker), who is willing to reunite with mom Maggie. 

Confronted by the daughters who believe she deserted them years ago, Maggie endures barbs and insults — but before long it becomes clear that the true villain is the absent father, who spent his life poisoning his daughters against their mother. Gradually, the family starts to work through the layers of animosity.

Jessen’s drama is not without glaring flaws. Most of the characters are women, but it’s noteworthy that they are undeveloped and exist only in reference to their dead father. Still, the piece possesses an undercurrent of grief and anger, accurately portraying what happens when children irrationally take on the prejudices of one parent against the other. Scenes in which the family interacts with barely suppressed resentment and fury are dynamic and will seem familiar to anyone who’s been exposed to parental estrangement. Director James Carey’s staging occasionally crackles with anger and menace — and sequences involving David exude a mystery in which the ostensible protagonist becomes the tragic villain. 

Schorr’s David is a surprisingly moving figure, an arguably delusional man who has no idea of his true self. As Maggie, Begley offers a beautifully nuanced turn — at first brittle and hateful, but gradually revealing herself as vulnerable and rather sad.  As youngest daughter Gray, Anis crafts a character whose anger and inner hurt are easy to understand.

Hollywood’s Theatre of Arts, 1625 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood; Thurs.-Sat., 8pm; through April 29.   772-828-0668772-828-0668 or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3368581.  Running time: two hours with an intermission.