Review: Tigers Be Still/Theater Wit

Matt Farabee and Mary Winn Heider/Photo: Liz Lauren

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With the numerous struggling-to-move-forward “new economy” stories littering the cultural landscape currently, from HBO’s “Girls” to Tom Hanks in “Larry Crowne, ” Theater Wit’s latest might have proved to be a teeth-clenching endurance exercise. But Kim Rosenstock’s off-kilter tale of people struggling to heal avoids clichés and displays true heart.

Sherry (Mary Winn Heider) returns home post-college with an art-therapy diploma and a case of deep depression. She’s joined by sister Grace (Kasey Foster), who endures a breakup by watching “Top Gun” on constant loop, and a mother who never leaves her bedroom. Fortune changes when Sherry begins teaching art at Joseph’s (Guy Massey) school and treating his grieving son Zack (Matt Farabee).

The ensemble creates richly drawn characters invested with love and pain and supported by killer timing. Jeremy Wechsler’s direction keeps the bittersweet action light. It’s a testimony to hope that avoids corny words like “testimony.” (Lisa Buscani)

Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont, (773)975-8150. Through June 3.

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