Constance Shulman and Annalee Jefferies Photo by Curtis Brown

Viola (Constance Shulman) and Lindalyn (Annalee Jefferies) appear within the confines of a barbecue place in McGower County, West Texas. Tim Mackabee's ultra-realistic set includes tables with red and white coverings and a few stools framed by objects attached to the back wall. There are neon signs that advertise many brands of beer. Costume designer Alejo Vietti gives the two extroverted miners helmets, complete with bright lights, and they are very animated and charged-up thieves. After a while, Blaze (Edward Hoke), wearing a stiff-looking red shirt and very blue jeans, comes around and it seems he's bought the joint. He also actively woos Sarah Nell (Gus Birney), sweet and fetching, whose mother just might be Lindalyn.

Viola tells us about her past while Lindalyn is pretty much mean and nasty. Larimore's scripting for these individuals demonstrates his gift with dialogue. Gus Birney is delectable, and Edward Hoke plays Blaze like he's about to conquer the world, or at least McGower County. This show is dark and it is unlikely anyone will rejoice through an all's well that ends well type finale.

Lindalyn and Viola are aggressive and they are after better lives. They take what they can get like, for example a bizarre clock. Lindalyn, though, is just furious most of the time and unkind when she's not overtly angry. Viola vocalizes through screeching which is a fine match for the bright orange wig she wears (thanks to Designer J. Jared Janas).

It is fair to explain and support this show as a veritable example of the Southern Gothic genre. After all, these individuals are poor, wanting, and, to varying degrees, desperate. Violence and blood goes along with the territory. Additionally, each of these people is searching for something and, for Lindalyn and Violet, that means swiping what they can find. They are mad, they are weird, and they haven't any boundaries. You might say they are beyond frightened. And maybe they are lonely.

All four performances are superlative. Annalee Jefferies is no stranger to New England stages. Michael Wilson, former artistic leader at Hartford Stage, featured her multiple times in various Horton Foote productions and as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. With an impressive array of credits, she is exceptional as Lindalyn, a belligerent, hostile human being. Constance Shulman jolts Viola with energy from start to finish. The first-class actress appeared at TheaterWorks more than 30 years ago and has taken roles on and Off-Broadway. Gus Birney (in real life the daughter of Constance Shulman and actor Reed Birney) is attractively charming as Sarah. Those interested can spot her on TV in "Something Very Bad is Going to Happen," "Black Rabbit," and "The Last Frontier." She appeared several years ago in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of The Rose Tattoo opposite Marisa Tomei. Edward Hoke its top-notch as Blaze, a man on the rise until he is not. Hoke twice performed in Hamlet, in the title role, at the Mark Taper Forum. He is both an actor and a filmmaker. Director Jen Wineman moves the actors about with pinpoint specificity in a show which demands precision.

Drew Larimore has explained that he workshopped Cannibals many times and that, during the past couple of years, in collaboration with Jen Wineman, wrote it for the current cast members. It is certainly in order to respect the quality of the production, which is high. Those who are not in the mood for the Southern Gothic experience, one of difficulty and deprivation, might not appreciate the show. It's a personal choice.

The Cannibals of McGower County runs through August 30, 2026, at TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford CT. For tickets and information, please call 860-527-7838 or visit twhartford.org.