A Perfect Climate for ‘Strange Snow’

Stephen Metcalfe’s “Strange Snow,” now at the Theatre District in Costa Mesa, is one of those really good plays, driven by memories of a wartime incident but more dependent on its story of basic human conflict than on the angst of the war.

The incident happened in Vietnam, but it could have been Korea or along the Maginot line. Metcalfe’s lessons concern fear and love, and the battlefield incident is only deus ex machina. That’s why it’s such a superior piece of writing.

David Flanagan (Vince “Guido” Campbell) is falling apart, wallowing in self-pity because of his deflated dreams of being a lawyer, still driving a truck, getting drunk on Friday nights and barely tolerating his sister Martha. Martha (Marnelle Ross) is a high school teacher with little self-esteem but who resents being treated like a housekeeper by her brother.

“Megs” Megessey (David Rousseve) opens the play, banging on the door of the Flanagan house at dawn, hollering and laughing like a kid on Christmas morning. He has a date to go fishing with David. Martha runs downstairs in pajamas and housecoat, wielding a golf club, to let him in.

It is a moment that will change their lives. Between Megs’ buoyant enthusiasm, Martha’s anxious sexual awakening and David’s bitter denial about what happened on the battlefield, an intricate web is woven that eventually begins to shine with affirmation and hope.

“Strange Snow” is not an easy play to pull off, with its suddenly veering emotions and delicate relationships, but director Mario Lescot has shaped it with empathy, affection and insight. There isn’t a false moment in the evening, and the actors play out Metcalfe’s chess game with high energy.

Campbell’s David is not the slob he’s usually portrayed as. Campbell makes us believe that he actually could have been a lawyer and gives David’s sudden realization that his sister has desires and passions of her own a sort of wistful tenderness that is winning.

As the supposedly plain Martha, Ross has an inner glow from the start that makes Megs’ attraction to her utterly believable and affecting. Ross’ blossoming into the woman Megs has been looking for is gradual, realistic and triumphant.

Rousseve’s Megs is another in the actor’s long line of fascinating characterizations at Theatre District, at once kinetic and poetic, self-effacing and magnetic.

Described by David as a time bomb waiting to go off, Megs is much more than that--and much less. The detail of Rousseve’s portrait blends into a touching and affectionate image of a wandering man who finally finds his way out of the labyrinth of a most ordinary and pointless life.

* “Strange Snow,” Theatre District, 2930 Bristol St., Suite C-106, Costa Mesa. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; May 24, 7 p.m. $15-$20. (714) 324-4043. Running time: 2 hours.

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“Strange Snow,”

David Rousseve: Joseph “Megs” Megessey

Marnelle Ross: Martha Flanagan

Vince “Guido” Campbell: David Flanagan

A Theatre District production of Stephen Metcalfe’s play. Directed by Mario Lescot. Scenic design: Two Blue Chairs Inc. Lighting: Extended Visions. Sound: Bonnie Vise. Stage managers: Debbie Kissinger, Lynette Deveraux.