STAGE REVIEW : ‘ ‘night, Mother’ Derives Its Power From Objectivity About Suicide : Drama: Is a daughter’s decision to kill herself a selfish act or the best option to preserve dignity? A Garden Grove play looks into the victim’s heart.

Marsha Norman’s “ ‘night, Mother” raises two opposed dynamics: Is Jessie’s decision to kill herself an act of existential dignity or the worst retreat, a selfish step that ignores the consequences left behind?

It’s a credit to directors Michelle and Tim Bagley that their Garden Grove Community Theatre production does not fudge on either of these questions. This is a clear, steadily acted treatment of Norman’s 1983 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.

In Jessie (Nancy Smeets), we find a young woman exhausted by her days; she moves wearily around the tidy home (Walter Brown’s set is suitably unpretentious and suburban) she shares with her mother, Thelma.

It’s been a troubled life--Jessie’s an epileptic with a bad marriage and a wayward son--and in her mind, the time is right to end the disappointment and pain. Smeets is methodical, restrained, direct.

Thelma (Sheri Savage) is disbelieving when Jessie announces her plans, but she soon realizes her daughter’s seriousness. She pleads, demands, threatens, cajoles, trying to get her to go on, but she knows that Jessie is “already gone.” Savage is emotional, confused, guilty.

The ending, as it usually does, stuns, even though we know it’s inexorable. Jessie locks herself in the bedroom while Thelma convulses outside. The gun goes off. Now it’s time for Thelma to call her son, and then the authorities. Jessie’s decision lives beyond her as the family, especially Thelma, will deal with it: What could they have done to prevent it? What signs did they miss?

Norman doesn’t take a position one way or the other. Both sides have strong voices: We hear Thelma tell her daughter of the options, and Jessie agrees but adds that death is one option she knows will work. Thelma argues that her love for Jessie makes it impossible to accept her choice. Jessie says love is what should allow her to accept it.

Much of “ ‘night, Mother’s” validity is rooted to its steadfast, objectifying distance. We understand that suicide is a waste, but until we understand the heart of the victim, it’s impossible for us to judge.

“ ‘NIGHT, MOTHER’

A Garden Grove Community Theatre production of Marsha Norman’s drama. Directed by Michelle Bagley and Tim Bagley. With Nancy Smeets and Sheri Savage. Set by Walter Brown. Lighting by Tim Bagley. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through March 10 at 12001 St. Mark St., Garden Grove. Tickets: $5 and $6. (714) 897-5122.