A Parallelogram

A Parallelogram

Second Stage Theater

Tony Kiser Theater

August 18, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

In his play A Parallelogram, Bruce Norris asks the questions: If you are able to go back and live your life over again, knowing how it will turn out, would you do it?  There are a lot of complex issues to contemplate in a decision like this.  His play, while delivering a lot of laughs, considers them all, and also looks at the probability of affecting a different outcome if you have the courage to change your actions.

Bee (played by Celia Keenan-Bolger) is in the middle of a heated discussion with her boyfriend Jay (played by Stephen Kunken), when the woman she met at the grocery store earlier that day (played by Anita Gillette) pushes a button on her remote and rewinds the scene so Bee can relive it.  She does this a few times until Bee is satisfied with her participation in the discussion.  The woman explains to Bee the science behind the phenomenon.  She then reveals to the audience that she is from the future, when most of the population of the world dies off from a mysterious illness.  She does not.  She is Bee in the future.  She is able to tell Bee the outcome of her experiences.  The remote (a parallelogram) offers Bee the opportunity to move backwards and forwards in time to assess her choices and possible change her behavior.  Will any of this effect the final outcome?

Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

Celia Keenan-Bolger portrays Bee rationally and logically, allowing for the transitions in time to be realistic and believable.  Her character is driven by and inquisitive desire to understand how her actions can improve the future.  She challenges the rules of the parallelogram as set up by her older self, and keeps the action flowing forward with her determination.  Anita Gillette is beguiling, direct, and funny as Bee's older self.  Her monologues are full of information needed to understand the context of the story.  She delivers them with charm, energy and delight, keeping the audience engaged as the complex layers of the story unfold.  Since Bee’s boyfriend is not in the know of the phenomenon, Stephen Kunken plays Jay as the straight man for most of the jokes, setting up and following through with the situational humor keenly established by Ms. Bolger and Ms. Gillette.  He does not miss a beat.  His comic timing and physicality is spot on.

Celia Keenan-Bolger & Anita Gillette
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theater

The set, designed by Rachel Hauck, is a realistic rendition of two interior locations.  What makes it spectacular is the way they move into place.  At the push of a button, the stage right and left walls smoothly spin and the upstage wall moves forward, then back again.  This, along with lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Matt Tierney, creates the swift flow the story line requires in order to be credible and engaging. 

Mr. Norris’ play is very well constructed and keeps you thinking throughout.  The direction by Michael Greif keeps the action tightly focused on the details that make the show work.  The Second Stage Theater production of A Parallelogram is closing on August 20.  Their upcoming season looks great.  Check out their website for details. 

Domenick Danza