By Joseph Cervelli
The title of Maddie Corman's superb and riveting one person show "Accidentally Brave" at the DR2 Theater is aptly named. This well established actress never considered herself to be a courageous person. The brave part came out of her own determination to save her marriage for the sake of her children and her still possible love for her husband whose reprehensible behavior was certainly enough for her to end it.
The show (sensitively directed by Kristin Hanggi) starts pleasant enough with video photos (projection design by Elaine J. McCarthy) of her marriage to Jace Alexander the director of over 30 episodes of "Law and Order." A perfect couple or so it seems. There are even photos of their three children and various trips they have taken. Then one day Corman is driving to a shoot in Brooklyn when she gets a frantic call from her daughter that her husband has been arrested. Hearing the way her daughter must have sounded through Corman's voice is shattering. His arrest was the result of possessing child phonography on his computer. She later makes a point that he always denied being involved physically with any child and nothing was charged on that matter but this was bad enough. What makes the show so incredibly powerfully moving is that Corman does not reiterate her story but re-enacts every scene. Notice that I by no means stated she acts it out. There is no acting here. When you hear her yell out in pain and frustration you never for one moment fail to realize the agony she is going through for herself and her children.
Her entire life has been turned into a tailspin. At the very beginning of the show she states that this is not one of those shows where the person telling upsetting stories of their lives become okay. She emphatically states she is not okay. Yet, you know that as time passes this woman has the fortitude to become while not completely whole again will get better as she already has to a substantial degree.
She emphasizes that this is a story about her and if you want to know about her husband or children you need to ask them. It is inconceivable to even begin to imagine how one's life suddenly collapses in a matter of moments. When his secret is discovered (she had no idea for over the 20 years they have been married) in moments pictures and headlines of all major publications about what he has engaged in are being made public. As any mother, her thought is to protect and shield her children. But that is nearly impossible. Rampant phone calls from friends are pouring in some helpful and some not so. As in any kind of distressful moments suggestions from friends come in droves. Yet, she as we all do in bad situations must fend for ourselves. It is also at times like this that you know whom you can depend upon. But again the number one person who makes that ultimate decision is yourself. However, she is referred to a famous unnamed actress whom she calls her "angel" who offers the necessary guidance for she herself went through something exactly the same.
Before any sentencing she visits him in a rehabilitation center in Arizona. There are moments in this tragic but ultimately uplifting story of finding inner strength that are funny, such as, when she is envious of her husband's tan. Why indeed should he look so good when she has physically and emotionally become a wreck.
I should stop right here before telling any more as to not spoil any further details. I must say, however, that the one moment that I heard sobs and found tears welling in my own eyes was when she wishes her mother who died in her 40's from cancer was there to console her. It is a moment I shall not easily forget. She crunches herself into a ball and you know that only a mother could offer the assurance that she needs at that moment.
For 90 minutes you find yourself understanding what it has to be like to deal with this situation not for just for herself but guiding her children and shielding them from the cruel comments of others their age.
While listening to her I was thinking of their marriage and her own life as a brightly burning candle in which suddenly that flame extinguishes.
The show is not a catharsis for Maddie Corman but a message for those in the audience who may be going through their own personal dilemma. After you have gotten through the worst parts there is still one more step she explains you must take to get you through everyday life. I won't reveal what it is but will just say that what she suggests you search for is as inspirational as this amazingly unforgettable story.
Tickets are available at the DR2 Theater 103 E. 15th Street or by calling Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.
PHOTOS BY JEREMY DANIEL
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