Review: 'Hang' Leaves You in Suspense

Debbie Tucker Green's "Hang" is a haunting meditation on vengeance and justice, played out in an interrogation room.

MJ Daly ("Witch") plays a woman who has been the victim of a horrendous crime. She is questioned by two detectives (Margaret Melozzi and Aaron Morris). We never learn their names; in the show program, they are referred to as One, Two, and Three.

The direction by Lynne Collinson (who appeared in last year's "Playhouse Creatures") is fluid, and the performances are all outstanding – especially Daly, who is particularly effective as a woman whose entire existence has been irreparably damaged. She gains our sympathy as she recalls the impact of the crime on her husband and her two young children.

The detectives make awkward conversation, bring her water to drink, and state their intention to make her feel comfortable. Their efforts are met with cynicism and outright hostility.

When we first see her, Daly is very static physically as she sits and stares at her inquisitors. It's easy to sense her holding on to a mass of unresolved emotions and waiting for the right time to vent them. When she does, the words shoot out of her mouth like daggers.

"I've been here before," the world-weary woman tells the detectives. "I know how this works."

Melozzi and Morris generate a fair amount of laughs as they unsuccessfully try to guide Daly through the process of choosing a punishment for her assailant, who is also never named. Eventually, the two detectives run through a list of possible methods of execution, including lethal injection, the electric chair, and hanging. The method that is selected is fairly obvious if you take note of the play's title.

In scenes like this, Green's dialogue is darkly humorous. Morris chillingly describes the process of lethal injection in graphic detail, including the names of the chemicals used to put someone to death.

"How long does it take?," Daly asks Morris, a touch of urgency in her voice.

There is also a letter, written by the man who is going to be executed. The contents of the letter are never revealed. Melozzi refuses to read it to Daly. Is it a letter of contrition? Or something sinister?

The interrogation room is suitably minimal, with two-way glass, a table, some chairs, and a water dispenser. It's a grim and unfeeling environment, courtesy of Burbage Theater Company's veteran set designer Trevor Elliott.

Although "Hang" has moments of tremendous power, the script remains maddeningly vague about certain details. From what Daly tells us, something truly traumatic did occur. Her family, her life, and her sense of personal safety, were decimated. This is potent material for drama.

What I found frustrating, however, is the fact that we never find out what happened to the woman. Was she sexually assaulted? Were her children sexually assaulted? It seems like a cheat to engage us in this woman's plight for 80 minutes without giving us at least a hint of what happened.

Still, the production has the strength of three strong performances behind it. The final moment features the sound of a heart beating and a ticking clock: The victim may be getting justice, but will she ever be free of the memories?

Hang runs through February 16 at Burbage Theatre Company, 59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Run time is 80 minutes, no intermission. For tickets, call 401-484-0355 or visit burbagetheatre.org.