OFF SEASON

Upon the death of her husband, Lilly Constable McDowell returns to her summer home in Maine to scatter his ashes and reflect on her life. Jane Alexander gives a convincing performance as the 60-year-old Lilly. As the widow recalls her youth, Alexander lightens her voice enough for the listener to suspend disbelief, especially given her realistic variations in tone. However, Alexander's male characters, with their artificially deepened voices, sound forced and shallow. Further, peripheral females of all ages, except for Lilly's adored and unconventional mother, come across as exaggerated and acted, rather than felt. Alexander’s occasional mispronunciations of Bangor (she intermittently calls it "Banger") will jar listeners familiar with that Maine city. So will the story's unrealistic ending. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]