“The White Chip,” playing at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space (511 W. 52nd Street) will have you laughing, but it also vividly depicts the world of an alcoholic.
The production presents Sean Daniels’s autobiographical story of his theatrical success, and how all that was lost due to his alcoholism. Sean, represented by the character Steven, takes the audience through his life’s journey. He lets everyone know about his Mormon upbringing, which was quite disturbing, and how he started drinking at a young age. Over the years, his drinking became worse and worse, and he got into accidents due to his alcoholism. We watch as he finds his purpose in life, which is theater, but also comes to realize that alcohol is an all-consuming master.
Two other characters help to tell Steven’s story, taking on all types of roles, from those who help alcoholics stop drinking to Steven’s boss and co-workers in the theater who helplessly watch him spiral out of control, to his mother and father.
Many times, Steven attended AA meetings and received a White Chip, which means wanting to stop drinking or having stopped. For Steven, the White Chip at first represented a chance to quit drinking, but he would relapse; after falling off the wagon, he would go back to the AA meetings and again receive the White Chip. Each time he relapsed, went back, and got another chip, it began to have less of a positive meaning. Meanwhile, he was also experiencing failure in his professional, personal, and family life.
We go on this journey with Steven and realize just how difficult everyday life can be for an alcoholic who finds themselves first being the life of the party and charming when they drink, then becoming the lush—the embarrassing and out-of-control person who lets down their family and friends so much that they find themselves all but abandoned. This play lets you see how the mind and rationale of an alcoholic can work against them when it comes to making sure they get their fix.
Daniels definitely serves up the humor, but also the horror of what a life can be reduced to when someone lets alcohol take it over. We hear of the personal family tragedy he experienced and his quite unusual relationship with his father and mother: While his dad was a softspoken man, his mother was quite a harsh person. As the play goes on, you come to understand why. It is interesting to see that alcoholism can happen generationally.
Joe Tapper portrays Steven with humor, sensitivity, and understanding. You feel all the emotional highs and lows that this character experiences. Tapper’s portrayal truly helps to present an identifiable tale that people could understand and sympathize with.
Crystal Dickinson and Jason Tam are phenomenal as they play the multiple characters Steven comes in contact with. They are referred to simply as #1 and #2, but they play multiple, diverse characters with an ease and flow that makes you embrace the story even more.
Watching these three actors was amazing. “The White Chip” had me feeling so many emotions, but what it did most of all was show how all-encompassing the power of alcohol can be on a person, despite how harmful it can be. It is sad that Steven had to completely hit rock bottom before he truly saw the error of his ways. I love how in the end, he is a testament to the power of the human spirit to get through and survive.
I normally don’t mention the “Note from the Playwright” that is included in a theater program, but Daniels says something very moving: “The more work that is created, the more conversation happens, the more stigma is defeated, the more people ask for help—the less people die.” This quote demonstrates how this playwright is trying to start a conversation about the addiction issue in our country and give people a safe space to hear and share.
“The White Chip” is stunningly directed by Sheryl Kaller. It has marvelous costume design by Devario Simmons, scenic design by Lawrence E. Moten III, lighting design by Abigail Hoke-Brady, and sound design by Leon Rothenberg.
For more info, visit www.whitechipplay.com.