Sunday

Sunday

Atlantic Theater Company

Linda Gross Theater

September 7, 2019

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Jack Thorne’s new play, Sunday, commissioned by Atlantic Theater Company, is an intimate exploration of the powerful moments that define a person’s life.  It is a character driven story with a clear and valuable message.  The six characters are well developed and clearly defined.  The relationships continually feed the conflict, which leads to introspective moments that pull the story forward.  The cast is keenly connected and all deliver crisp and potent performances. 

Juliana Canfield, Sadie Scott, Zane Pais, & Ruby Frankel
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Marie (played by Sadie Scott) is on the phone with her mother while waiting for her roommate, Jill (played by Juliana Canfield), to get home.  It is Sunday, their book group night.  Marie’s downstairs neighbor, Bill (played by Maurice Jones), asks Marie to not play the music too loud because he has to get up early for work.  Jill returns with the vodka and snacks for the meeting, and the rest of the group descends upon the apartment.  They are discussing Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler.  Keith (played by Christian Strange) continually takes the conversation off topic.  Alice (played by Ruby Frankel) strains to bring it back into focus.  Milo (played by Zane Pais) gets inappropriate with Marie, but Jill keeps him from getting out of hand.  The evening’s conversation continually gets personal and is filled with animosity.  After everyone leaves, Marie finds herself alone and unsettled.  Her downstairs neighbor, Bill, hears her pacing the floor, and knocks on her door.  Their conversation turns deeper than either of them expects. 

Ruby Frankel in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The character of Alice narrates throughout the play.  The brilliance of this choice by Mr. Thorne is skillfully followed through by Director Lee Sunday Evans by keeping Alice aloof in how she relates to the other characters.  She is more than just a narrator.  She is an observer.  Her insights come from her first hand knowledge of the characters and their experiences, and propel the story deeper into their emotional state and motivating impulses.  Ruby Frankel’s portrayal of Alice brings depth and vitality to the story.

Sadie Scott in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

The scene between Marie and her downstairs neighbor, Bill, after the book group members leave the apartment, is monumental.  Mr. Thorne takes huge risks with these two characters in their interaction.  Each one has a valuable payoff.  The scene builds and falls, then builds again, taking the play to a stunning conclusion.  Sadie Scott and Maurice Jones are genuinely vulnerable in this scene.

Jack Thorne has written a uniquely structured, thought provoking, and intriguing play.  Sunday is playing at the Linda Gross Theater though October 13.  See it with a friend.  An intense discussion is sure to follow.       

Domenick Danza