'Touch(ed)' is intriguing

"TOUCH(ED)," Pioneer Theatre Company, through Jan. 23, Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre (801-581-6961); running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (one intermission)

When I first interviewed playwright Bess Wohl she said, "I like plays that don't answer all the questions, plays that leave you wondering. Plays get you talking."

And that's just what she's created with her play "Touch(ed)," the premiere of which opened at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on Friday.

Kay's older sister, Emma (Kelly Hutchinson), has spent the past eight years in and out of psychiatric hospitals. Determined to "get her sister back," Kay (Jennifer Joan Thompson) decides a week in the woods with her and her boyfriend, Billy (Alex Podulke), will do her sister some good.

Billy, a writer, thinks the fresh air is helping his writer's block, so he offers to stay in the woods and look after Emma, keeping her out of the hospital and allowing Kay a bit of much needed me-time.

Wohl has created an interesting dynamic, and through the back and forth you'll find your sympathies changing among the threesome.

Likely, you'll find you're left with questions:

Why is she like that? Is this real or a dream? Can't she just take a deep breath? Would you have wanted to know? What would you have done?

Obviously, the questions seem vague, but I don't want to give anything away.

Director Charles Morey has assembled a strong cast to bring Wohl's words to life.

As Kay, Thompson does a fine job. She does the bulk of the talking, though at times I couldn't tell if being Emma's sister was hard work or if Thompson was just working too hard.

Her line delivery is quite fast, which left a few audience members asking what had been said. But her speech to her boyfriend in Act II is fabulous.

Podulke is charming as the boyfriend, and at times you may find yourself wondering what he sees in Kay — who doesn't seem as warm toward him.

And Hutchinson delivers a convincing recovering mental patient with plenty of deadpan wit.

The sets, designed by Gary M. English, wonderfully capture the rustic feel of the woods and cabin.

Above all, it is exciting to see a brand-new work by an up-and-coming voice, and bravo to PTC for making the commitment to new works.

And, bravo to Wohl, whose play I'm still thinking about.

Sensitivity rating: Language, smoking.

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com