St. Louis Actors’ Studio began its 19th season on the 25th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks. To mark the occasion, the company is presenting “The Mercy Seat,” by Neil LaBute. In 2002, it was one of the first plays written in response to 9/11.

The action begins the day after the attacks. Shell-shocked Ben Harcourt (Franklin Killian) is in the upscale New York City apartment of his boss and lover, Abby Prescott (Kelly Schnider). Ben is staring at his ringing phone, unable to answer it. He survived the attack because he visited Abby that morning instead of going to their office in the World Trade Center.

Ben’s paralysis is due not to his narrow escape but to the possibility he recognizes for himself and Abby. The call Ben is dodging is from his wife. He realizes that if he remains missing, she will assume he died in the Twin Towers’ collapse. He and Abby will then be able to run away to start a new life together. The opportunity to disappear, however, is not without drawbacks. Ben will have to leave his children behind, and Abby will have to give up the powerful position she has worked so hard to attain.

LaBute’s sharp-edged dialogue and Killian and Schnider’s fiery performances evince the tension between Ben and Abby as they hash out their relationship and its prospects. I was surprised at how little tenderness the script presented to offset the antagonism between the lovers, but I was very impressed with how LaBute ratchets up the drama as the play approaches its climax.

John Pierson’s direction and sound are stark reminders of what people felt and heard in the aftermath of 9/11. Patrick Huber’s set and lighting and Teresa Doggett’s costumes create a handsome and convincing environment for the play.

“The Mercy Seat” continues through September 27 at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle Avenue.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by Patrick Huber
From the left, Franklin Killian as Ben and Kelly Schnider as Abby  in “The Mercy Seat.”