We get to know two people very well in Elephants’ Graveyard, which is receiving its premiere from First Run Theatre. They are people worth getting to know.

The characters in Marjorie Williamson’s play are Smitty and Margaret, both in their mid-seventies, who have known each other for many years. We learn about them during three mid-afternoon visits Margaret pays to Smitty: first in mid-December, then in spring, and finally in autumn.

Both women are coping with the difficulties of aging. In the past year, Margaret has lost “a perfectly good husband” and learned she has terminal but treatable cancer that is probably going to kill her fairly soon. Smitty bemoans the loss the power she once had to command attention just by walking across a room.

The women’s wide-ranging conversations cover their joint and separate histories, their current challenges, and the inevitability of death. Williams has assembled a wealth of entertaining material and artfully manages the flow of topics and emotions. Not much is at stake, however, until three quarters of the way through the play, when Smitty and Margaret deal with the consequences of an end-of-life decision.

Because the majority of the play is interaction rather than action, the actors are responsible for maintaining forward momentum. Under Rob Corbett’s assured direction, Jan Meyer as Smitty and Gwynneth Rausch as Margaret are adept at building rapport and finding the drama in the dialogue. Their absorbing performances lead organically to the climax. The play ends with a reassuring coda.

In addition to directing, Corbett designed the set that depicts Smitty’s kitchen in rich detail. Tracey Ann Newcomb’s costumes match the characters’ histories and the seasons. The lighting is by Nathan Schroeder, the sound by Jenn Ciaverella.

Elephants’ Graveyard continues through November 24 at the Kranzberg Black Box Theatre, 501 North Grand Boulevard. Performances start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by John Lamb
From the left, Jan Meyer as Smitty and Gwynneth Rausch as Margaret in Elephants’ Graveyard.