By Tom Welch

Special to the Islands’ Sounder

It seems perfectly appropriate, as the days grow shorter and the nights darker, for another Actor’s Theater of Orcas Island delight that makes us think. And think again, as we shudder at the thought. Doug Bechtel’s stunning production of Seattle playwright Keri Healey’s dark, complex drama “Torso” at the Grange offers strong acting by familiar faces we thought we knew.

The actors play multiple roles in this fast-paced nailbiter that challenges the audience not only to keep up, but to stay with the swift and sudden changes in character, mood, and emotion as the story develops. The plot twists and turns as it gradually explicates a landscape as strange and familiar as our island. The emotional gravity of “Torso” pulls and tugs at the audience, and although ultimately rewarding, it’s not an easy ride.

“Torso” is a complicated, complexly sensitive play about more than one difficult, and often brutal, subject. Revenge for a slight is one thing, revenge for a wrong is another: but revenge for an imagined slight by a brother is another beast entirely. And when that particular beast is ridden by siblings with shoddy reasoning and shabby intent, it’s particularly nasty and upsetting

Aaimee Johnson has a wonderfully expressive, sweet countenance that shines through the growing complexities of her role as Daphne, a woman dealing with multiple tragedies, not least of which is her relationship with Eddie, Zack Knight’s surly cabdriver. Knight is, as always, a pleasure to watch.

Cara Russell is wonderfully expressive, languorous one moment and quivering with energy the next as she fills each of her roles to the brim. Gillian Smith’s smoothly adaptive style perfectly conveys the malevolence of the jealous, scheming sister to Tom Gossett’s dynamic portrayal of Dominick, her dim and dangerous brother. Gossett is simply superb as Dominick and, yes, he does need a lawyer.

The soundtrack adds marvelous depth and texture to this dark, complex drama of unfolding revenge. Simple staging that works wonderfully, managed with artfully smooth transformations that utterly make sense for each change of scene, speak to the professionalism of the crew.

Kate Hansen and Cele Westlake masterful control of the lighting and sound provides a seamless accompaniment to the unrelenting emotional drama on stage.

“Torso” is on at 7:30 at The Grange September 7,8, 14,15, and 16. Tickets are $10 at the door, or at Darvill’s Bookstore.