Seattleplays.com review By Tom Scanlon
						Getting Out Theater Schemater July 30-Aug. 21 Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m info/tickets.
				The cast: Philip D. Clarke, Joe Hendrickson, Jane May, Teri Lazzara Mathews, Johnny Patchamatla, Beth Peterson, Sharia Pierce and Rob West
		This is the first play written by Marsha Norman, who would go on to pen 'night Mother -- and it shows. Getting Out is over-written by about a third, and doesn't have many great surprises, relying on stock characters. Even so, there is at times great depth to Norman's work, and this Theater Schmeater production emphasizes its power, with some superior acting that is a joy to witness.     The program states that this is Kerry Christianson's first directing effort; hard to believe, that. Not only does Christianson smoothly and artfully handle the changes in tense from present to past, she also guides the actors wonderfully.       If you're looking for some of Seattle's best young talent, by all means see this play. Jane May, who is so at home with her character of the woman trying to shed her past that she does a great deal of interior acting, might be the next Mary Jane Gibson (a Schmeater staple for about two years, Gibson has moved on to some of the bigger houses). And, though this is hopefully not the best role he'll play, Johnny Patchamatla shows flashes of brilliance, and with some seasoning and a continued effort at bold choices, could blossom into a top-level actor.       May plays Arlene, just released from a long stretch in prison and trying to shed her past life. Patchamalta is a prison guard who quits his job to follow Arlene. That's quite a stretch, by Norman, but the actors make it believable. Sharia Pierce plays the younger version of Arlene, as an at turns abused and rowdy girl, through her stay in prison.      Theater Scheater artisitic director Rob West makes his acting debut, and is quite good as a dominating pimp; his mix of humor and intimidation is strong. Teri Lazzara Matthews brings charm and amusement as an ex-con trying to help Arlene, but it would have been nice to see a flash or two of this character's toughness, to go with her caring.        Beth Peterson, who plays Arlene's mother, is only on stage for one long scene, but makes the most of it, with a fascinating delivery that mixes a drawl (the play is set in Kentucky) with a sneer. A terrific set, with a jail cell stage left and a dumpy apartment at center stage, and fine costumes make this one of the most visually interesting shows to play in Theater Schmeater's modest digs.