"The Fall to Earth" can be very crushing

At first there is nothing ominous, just mild bickering on the other side of the motel room door.

Jolie Curtsinger as Rachel, Deborah Hedwall as Fay in “The Fall To Earth” by Joel Drake Johnson in a photo © John Quilty

But as it progresses, Joel Drake Johnson's "The Fall to Earth," at 59E59 Theaters through February 5th in its New York City premiere, is darkly funny, even grisly at times.

Deborah Hedwall as Fay with Jolie Curtsinger as Rachel in “The Fall To Earth” by Joel Drake Johnson in a photo © John Quilty

Rachel Browney (Jolie Curtsinger) and her mother Fay Schorsch (Deborah Hedwall) have come to this small town where her brother Kenny lived. The trip brings them together at a difficult time, but as we find out in "The Fall To Earth" there probably were no easy times in the Schorsch household.

Jolie Curtsinger as Rachel, Deborah Hedwall as Fay and Amelia Campbell as Terry in “The Fall To Earth” by Joel Drake Johnson in a photo © John Quilty

As Rachel and her mom learn more about what happened to Kenny, Rachel mutters "I could have been a nicer sister," to the police officer, Terry Reed (Amelia Campbell). "I could have been."

How well did either mother or daughter know him? Terry reveals some secrets about Kenny that the women may have suspected, but it is clear that the entire family have been out of touch for a long time.

Deborah Hedwall as Fay with Jolie Curtsinger as Rachel in “The Fall To Earth” by Joel Drake Johnson in a photo © John Quilty

Keeping you on the edge of your seat and thoroughly engaged, "The Fall To Earth" takes many a surprise turn as it unfolds.

"The Fall To Earth" also benefits from an excellent cast, and the deft direction of Joe Brancato, and the versatile set designs by James J. Fenton.

Jolie Curtsinger (also a producing partner at InProximity Theatre Company which is a presenter of this production) plays a wary Rachel. Deborah Hedwall, as Fay, screeches, screams, rants, hectors, cajoles, chatters and whines in a brilliant arc of dysfunction. Rachel has her own reasons to be secretive and distrustful around Fay.

For a schedule of performances, please visit www.59e59,org.

For more information about InProximity Theatre Company, which produces New York City premieres, go to www.inproximitytheatre.org