At APT, 'Tribes' closes ranks around family dysfunction

Lindsay Christians, The Cap Times

There’s a certain pleasure in hate-watching a character, hollering in your living room at a villain who can’t hear you. Best to subdue these instincts at “Tribes,” an infuriating (and very good) play populated by extremely punchable people.

English playwright Nina Raine’s 2010 comedic drama, onstage in American Players Theatre’s indoor Touchstone space through Sept. 27, highlights the casual cruelty families do best.

For 20-something Billy (Joshua M. Castille), born deaf into a family of hearing narcissists, the family dinner table swirls like a tornado. John Langs’ hyper-specific, naturalistic direction boxes Billy out while he’s in the room. How can they be so oblivious? (Am I that oblivious?)

Billy’s parents and older siblings, failed-to-launch Ruth (Maggie Cramer) and mentally struggling Daniel (Casey Hoekstra), shout conversations at and over each other. The radio blares. People walk away while talking, or speak in an undertone.

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