Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Emotionally resonant, compelling and poignant, the depth of this story is incredibly moving, and Rachel Sorsa’s performance demands our attention. This is strong writing about losing a child, an unfortunately common and devastating experience for many people. The past mistakes are haunting. With keen insight and effective direction, the task of shaping this piece into a touching and relatable story is successfully executed.
Pam is at the end of her life and decides to leave a final message to her son Michael, who was lost at age 6. She sets up her phone for the recording that she hopes to post on YouTube. Around her are morphine tubes, pain meds, and the bottle of $600 Château Margaux that she splurged on for this special day. She grew up in a military family, mostly poor and waited tables for decades. There were years that she lived in her car. At heart she is a hard worker and earns her daily bread. But life’s challenges can be overwhelming, especially when they haunt you every day.
Pam became pregnant and Michael’s father told her to call him when the kid turned eighteen. Abortion was not an option. She struggled as a single mom but gave most of her time to her child. The tragedy occurred 24 years before the telling of this story, when Michael was at the Boardwalk where he loved to ride that Merry-Go-Round. Pam would put him on the horse and watch him go around while she talked on the phone. This time, when the ride stopped, Michael did not get off. She thought that he was hiding so that he could go another round. When a child is abducted the first 30 minutes are crucial. Pam did not contact the authorities within that time, because she didn’t believe that he was missing. No clues and no witnesses. When things happen that cannot be explained, people just make up things, Pam tells us, and she became the town monster as the police wrongfully speculated and blamed her for Michael’s disappearance.
An estimated 300,000 to 460,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States. The vast majority (over 90%) are endangered runaways, while a smaller portion involves parental abductions and abduction by a stranger. It can happen to anybody.
This award-winning team of creators presents the world premiere of PAINTED PONIES on the Audre Stage at the New Ruskin Group Theatre Arts Center, 2800 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Written by Ian McRae, directed by Elina de Santos, and starring Rachel Sorsa as Pam. The show is scheduled to run through July 19. Performances are at 5pm on Saturdays; 4pm on Sundays (no performances on 4th of July weekend). Tickets are $25 – $40 and can be purchased in advance at