Junk

Junk

Lincoln Center Theater

at The Vivian Beaumont

October 21, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Ayad Akhtar’s new play Junk, produced by Lincoln Center Theater, tells the story of corporate buy outs, greed, and the loss of work ethic and professional integrity.  The powerhouse cast of twenty-three ignites Mr. Akhtar’s skillfully crafted dialogue with a fiery passion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The characters are so honest, flawed, cunning, and charming that you will find yourself buying what they are selling and, as with Mr. Akhtar’s other plays, find yourself questioning your own judgement and motivations.

The year is 1985.  Robert Merkin (played by Steven Pasquale) is in the business of taking over large corporations by creating debt and raising money to buy them out.  He sells junk bonds and makes millions for his clients, keeping a high percentage for himself.  Sometimes he bends the rules, sometimes he breaks the law.  When he decides to buy Everson Steel, the third generation owner, Thomas Everson Jr. (played by Rick Holmes), puts up a larger resistance than expected.  It becomes a fight of ethic vs. greed, and it is not until the very end that it becomes clear who suffers the greatest loss.

Steven Pasquale as Steven Merkin
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Steven Pasquale is driven as Robert Merkin.  He has a powerful presence that keeps the action moving, even when he is not on stage.  Rick Holmes portrays Thomas Everson Jr. as a determined fighter.  He has a lot at stake, both personally and financially.  Playwright Ayad Akhtar has masterfully crafted these two characters.  They are each compelled by selfish motives, yet compassionate and aware of the effect their actions have on those around them.  The consequences of their conflict are always in question.  The balance of egotism and empathy keeps the struggle between them riveting. 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

The brilliance of this play is the way Mr. Akhtar develops all the characters so that the audience gets to know their many sides.  From the Lincoln Center Theater program: “Junk is a fictionalize account suggested by events in the historical public record.  The characters in this play are dramatic concoctions, stitched together – at times – with details pulled from history but these characters are never anything other than fiction.”  Amazing performances are delivered by the entire cast, especially Teresa Avia Lim, Matthew Rauch, Henry Stram, Michael Siberry, Ito Aghayere, Miriam Silverman, and Joey Slotnick.

Experiencing this play will give you a new perspective on how greed is a driving force in the American economy, and how our own personal desires are a contributing factor in its downfall.  Junk is presently in previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, and runs through January 7.     

Domenick Danza