Theater review: Locally written 'Six Knots' is a timely 'winner'

Jim Cavener
Mike Coghlan and Jeff Messer in The Magnetic Theatre’s world premiere of Travis Lowe’s "Six Knots."

The Magnetic Theatre's mission is to cultivate or discover original scripts, most never before staged, and give them exposure to the discerning theater world of Asheville and environs.

In its 52nd such endeavor, Magnetic continues its recent roll of quite impressive products, in a tradition that hasn't always hit the mark. The last few shows have all made it to the finish line with a more than pleasing result, and first time playwright Travis Lowe's "Six Knots" is no different — a stimulating winner in all regards.

Lowe is known locally for a respected record of impressive acting roles with Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective and the long-running Montford Park Players. He has also played supportive roles off stage with these companies, and is known as a steady hand in theater circles. Then, to some surprise, he chose to generate his own material with which to work. His one-act "Green" was produced last year at Christ School in Arden, though "Six Knots" is his first full-length enterprise.

The presenting structure for this mesmerizing tale is a boat trip initiated by an autocratic, narcissistic, self-important money mogul, whose record of shrewd "$ucce$$" has been gained through the absence of any degree of regard for the larger welfare of the society or the world.

Local radio and theater personality Jeff Messer provides a heartless and egomaniacal robber baron, Randall Lowell, whose new cash-cow lies in the world of privately-owned prisons, where inmates are essentially enslaved factory workers producing huge profits for corporate gain.

The most painful part of this tale is that such enterprises have existed for some time, and the theme is ever more timely in the current political state. While the previous federal administration decided to phase out such for-profit prisons, the current administration has threatened to maintain and expand. The message of heartless avarice and greed is your usual oxymoronic "business ethics," and Lowe is effective in presenting the scary scenario with six passengers floating on a yacht in the Caribbean.

Lowell invites potential investors to join his waterborne party to curry their interest in becoming partners in his fool-proof enterprise. Along with his wife, Amber (Christine Eide), the passenger list includes a former employee who Lowell wants to lure back — Mike Coughlan as Todd Rennard — and Todd's wife, Kyra, strongly portrayed by Jamie Knox, who has hit the Asheville theater scene with several imposing roles in her first year in town.

The other two passengers are a lesbian couple, one of whom is a brash investor, close to Lowell's level of desire for wealth and power. The pushy half of this duo, Deborah, is played by Julia Cunningham.

While at one time, it would seem impossible for such disgusting individuals to maintain such wealth, it seems playwright Lowe and show director Andrew Gall had help from the public realm in crafting these sleazy characters.

Deb's fiancee, Dyan, or "Pippi," is a poet and ethereal writer who lives in a blue haze of alcohol and imagination. Lisa M. Smith is quite effective as this lovely, passive but ever-present presence.

These six individuals have been summoned by the power-hungry Randy Lowell for his purposes, but each comes with her or his own hidden agenda, and the twists and turns of this convoluted plot produce more than one total surprise. Call them vulture capitalists — as there is no honor among this yacht of thieves. Violence and lots of blood and gore are produced before the evening is over.

The first act ends with a shock, and the second act is entirely in high-tension mode. The social conscience of the playwright, and the expose of a wretched racket are both insightful and admirable.

One couture maven in the opening night audience thought the wardrobes of this wealthy crew did not reflect the upscale buying power and impressive labels such a bunch would have displayed. But, costumes notwithstanding, the evocative set was a crisp and understated composition, with just enough nautical symbols to remind that we are shipboard, but no clutter of sails and lines and ropes and anchors. That nice design was by Laura Lowe, who has done same for Different Strokes and Montford Park Players.

IF YOU GO

What: "Six Knots" by local playwright Travis Lowe

When: 7:30 p.m.  Thursday, Friday, Saturday through Aug. 19

Where: The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., River Arts District

Tickets: $16, $10 student rush tickets; themagnetictheatre.org