Infinite Life

 Infinite Life
Atlantic Theater Company
Linda Gross Theater
September  2, 2023 

Photo courtesy fo Atlantic Theater Company

Annie Baker’s’ Infinite Life draws the audience in on the private and penetrating journey of six characters.  The Atlantic Theater Company production, directed by James Macdonald, is fully absorbing.  As the characters avoid connection, they unwillingly peel away their layers.  You hang on to every moment, waiting for the next detail to be revealed, which pulls you in even further.  The partnership between Ms. Baker and Mr. Macdonald on this production is exceptionally effective.  This play is riveting.  

Christina Kirk as Sofi
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Sofi (played by Christina Kirk) is sitting on a terrace lounge chair, reading.  Eileen (played by Marylouise Burke) enters, and silently sits on another lounge chair.  Eileen interrupts Sofi’s reading to introduce herself.  Eileen is on day three.  Sofi is on day one.  They are residents of a healing retreat.  They fast under doctor’s supervision to release toxins and manage pain associated with their illness.  Elaine (played by Brenda Pressley) and Ginnie (played by Kristine Nielsen) enter and take their seats on the empty lounge chairs.  The conversation centers around their ailments, pain, and treatment.  When Yvette (played by Mia Katigbak) enters, she tells the long story of her list of ailments, which finally gets Sofi talking.  Sofi can relate to Yvette’s illnesses and pain.  Sofi spends sleepless nights awake on the terrace, pacing, texting, and leaving messages for either her husband or her intimate work friend.  She tells Nelson (played by Pete Simpson) about her relationship with these two men one night when they are both unable to sleep.  Nelson is the only male patient at the retreat.  He is suffering through his second round with colon cancer.

Pete Simpson as Nelson
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

When Nelson appears, the rhythm and pace of the setting is disturbed.  He is a little more aggressive than the women.  A little more in need of attention, while remaining solitary.  Pete Simpson plays this all with tender encroachment, due to the excruciating pain from his illness.  The scene between him and Ms. Kirk (Sofi) is filled with sexual tension that the characters are both eager and reluctant to engage in.  These two actors delicately play that scene with remarkable poise and control.         

The more each character avoids contact with one another, the more we understand their story.  The distance between the characters is more revealing than anything they share.  The final scene is between Sofi and Eileen, as is the initial scene of the play.  They talk about what they feel they need for the pain to go away.  They connect.  They talk about their spiritual beliefs.  They share their hopes, fears, and secrets.  Christina Kirk and Marylouise Burke play this scene calmly and genuinely.  The rhythm shifts.  There is no joy or revelation, only truth and connection.  For a moment it is as if there is no pain. Then the light go to black. 

Kristine Nielsen & Brenda Pressley
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Playwright Annie Baker skillfully leaves a trail of information about all the characters.  We piece the
stories together by nibbling on the small crumbs they each drop.  Most of the action centers around the character of Sofi.  Christian Kirk delivers an intriguing performance in this role.  The importance of the events of her life is made clear by the subtle and nonchalant way she reveals them.  Marylouise Burke, Brenda Pressley, Kristine Nielsen, and Mia Katigbak lure the audience into listening carefully to every component of their lives and experiences.  The audience feels each moment of their reaction time, and watch the pace of their movements.  Director James Macdonald masterfully orchestrates these fine actors through the elusive moments of Ms. Baker’s spellbinding writing.  

The pace is slow and steady throughout the piece, much like the enduring pain these characters carry every day.  The passage of time is announced by Sofi, first hour by hour, then day by day.  It is deliberate and anguishing.  Once the audience catches on to the steady flow of time, it is simply signified by lighting changes. 

Infinite Life is playing at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater through October 8.  It is an intimately intense journey, and will leave you with much to think about.    

Domenick Danza

True West

True West

Roundabout Theatre Company

American Airlines Theatre

December 28, 2018

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Co.

In True West Sam Shepard explores the jealousy and competition between brothers by heightening the clashes and destroying all acceptable facades.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production is well conceived and executed.  Director James Macdonald creates a rhythm between the two main characters that establishes their relationship.  As the action develops and the tables turn, the truth of the sibling rivalry reveals itself and explodes to an out of control level.

Lee (played by Ethan Hawke) drops in on his brother, Austin (played by Paul Dano), who is house sitting for their mother (played by Marylouise Burke) while she is on vacation in Alaska.  Austin is focused on writing a screenplay, while Lee is looking for his next grift.  During a meeting Austin has with Saul Kimmer, the producer of his project (played by Gary Wilmes), Lee interrupts and steals his thunder.  When Saul jumps at a story idea pitched by Lee, the months of time and effort Austin put on his project is brought to an abrupt and frustrating end.  The brothers are forced to work together and inadvertently face years of deep seeded rage.

Ethan Hawke & Paul Dano
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Paul Dano and Ethan Hawke are perfectly matched in this production.  From the beginning of the play they are both driven by underlying emotion that clearly defines their early years of growing up together.  When the stakes are raised, they both reveal how far these suppressed emotions will take them.  In the final scene any remains of rational thinking is eviscerated and the sparks fly freely.  Mr. Dano’s and Mr. Hawke’s characters are impulsively driven.  Each scene contains unexpected turns that reveal their true selves.  Both men challenge themselves and deliver genuine performances.

True West is playing at the American Airlines Theatre through March 17.  Don’t miss this Sam Shepard scrutiny of family dynamics and brotherly rivalry.

Domenick Danza

The Children

The Children

Manhattan Theatre Club

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

December 9, 2017

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Lucy Kirkwood’s play The Children asserts a powerful message of responsibility.  Produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in conjunction with Royal Court Theatre, this three character play asks a number of mind boggling “what if” questions.  Director James Macdonald builds the tension and suspense with subtle glances and shifts in timing and tone, which brings Ms. Kirkwood’s daring script to a shocking conclusion.

Rose (played by Francesca Annis) drops in on her old friends Hazel (played by Deborah Findlay) and her husband Robin (played by Ron Cook) for a surprise visit.  All three are retired nuclear physicists who worked together in the local power plant.  There was a recent nuclear explosion that has put the whole county in grave danger.  Since the disaster, Hazel and Robin have been living in a small cottage on the outskirts of the danger zone.  The purpose of Rose’s return is to gather the group of scientists who built the plant, knowing its weaknesses and impending dangers, and repair the damage in order to make it safe for the children and the future.

Ron Cook, Deborah Findlay, & Francesca Annis
Photo courtesy of Royal Court Theatre

All three actors are amazing.  They keep you on the edge of your seat by gradually revealing their characters’ wants and fears.  Francesca Annis’ character of Rose is a mysterious myriad of secrets.  Deborah Findlay’s Hazel is a stoic force, eager to speak her mind.  Ron Cook’s rendition of Robin is outgoing, charming, and quietly brave.  Their chemistry is genuine and their timing is spot on. 

Ms. Kirkwood’s play speaks to a generation.  It asks them to do what is needed in order to leave the world in as good, if not better, condition than it was given to them.  Isn’t it everyone’s responsibility to clean up after themselves?  How can you expect a different outcome from repeating the same behavior decade after decade?  The Children asks these questions on an individual as well as a global level.  This amazing play, direct from the Royal Court Theatre, will be running at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through February 4.  See it for yourself.   

Domenick Danza

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

National Theatre Live in the UK

Brooklyn Academy of Music

June 10, 2017

Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Brooklyn Academy of Music is presenting a series of National Theatre Live from the UK screenings.  The latest, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, was live from the Harold Pinter Theatre in London.  The screening included background information on the work of Edward Albee as well as a discussion about the set and costume design of the production.  This series is an excellent opportunity to experience gripping, high quality, live theatre from across the pond.

Imelda Staunton & Conleth Hill
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Martha (played by Imelda Staunton), daughter of a university president, and her husband George (played by Conleth Hill), a history professor, invite a young couple (played by Luke Treadaway and Imogene Poots) for a night cap after a university gathering.  As the drinking gets out of hand, everyone’s dark secrets come out in the open.  It is a devastating evening of truth or dare, especially when the distortion of games and facts begin to disentangle.  

Imelda Staunton as Martha
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Imelda Staunton is on fire as Martha.  She bursts in at the opening of the play, only to continually escalate as the journey continues.  She is equally matched with Conleth Hill as George.  Together they take the audience on a roller coaster ride fueled by frustration, passion, disappointment and anger.  Luke Treadaway is a little stiff as Nick, yet he successfully portrays the character’s determined ambition.  Just when you think he is victorious, he breaks.  His quiet agenda swiftly crumbles.  Imogene Poots is well cast as Honey.  When her façade quickly fades, the depth of her fragility and emptiness is frighteningly exposed.

Luke Treadaway & Imogene Poots
Photos courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Directed by James Macdonald, this production is sharp, biting, and unnerving.  His clear breakdown of beats in Edward Albee’s phenomenal writing gradually builds the tension while allowing opportunities for the audience to process the action.  The wild outbursts of emotion are genuinely grounded in the truth of the characters, and the heightened reactions are visceral and honest.  The balance of reality and game in the lives of the main characters is revealed in the ending.  The layers of this dark secret are essentially traced back to previous scenes where it was gradually peeled away.

BAM is presenting the following National Theatre Live productions:

Angels in America, Parts I & II - Starring Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Nathan Lane, James McArdle, and Russell Tovey

-          Angels in America Part I:  The Millennium Approaches

Thursday, July 20, 7:00 PM

-          Angels in America Part II:  Perestroika

Thursday, July 27, 7:00 PM

Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live

Tickets are modestly priced.  Based on this presentation of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, I highly recommend checking them out.

Domenick Danza

Escaped Alone

Escaped Alone

BAM Harvey Theater

The Royal Court Theatre

February 23, 2017

Photo courtesy of Escaped Alone

Mind boggling.  Thought provoking.  Confusing.  Serious.  Metaphorical.  Abstract.  These are a few words that come to mind after seeing the Royal Court Theatre’s production of Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone at BAM Harvey Theater.  The rhythm and images in Ms. Churchill’s dialogue are riveting.  James Macdonald’s direction creates captivating moments for the four women in the cast.  The design team (Miriam Buether, scenic design; Peter Mumford, lighting design, and Christopher Shutt, sound design) juxtapose numerous technical elements that blur the line between the characters’ realities and fantasies within the world of the play.

Mrs. Jarrett (played by Linda Bassett) notices three women having tea through an open garden gate.  When invited in, she engages in light afternoon conversation that leads to darker revelations of the three women’s experiences.  None is darker than Mrs. Jarrett’s recollection of apocalyptic horror.

Photo courtesy of Escaped Alone

Linda Bassett is calm and matter of fact when she tells of the tales of human catastrophe.  Her demeanor and presence have an interesting blend of humor and terror.  June Watson grabs attention as Vi.  Her cordial tone smoothly transitions into a recollection of how she “accidentally” killed her husband with a kitchen knife.  Deborah Findlay portrays Sally as a socially pleasant woman, until her deep fear of cats dominates the conversation.  Kiki Markham plays Lena with equal duality.  These women are masters at creating realistic characters who have subliminally contrasting inner lives.

Photo courtesy of Escaped Alone

Escaped Alone communicates the strong sense of loneliness and fear that can lie beneath the façade of social pleasantry.  The complex layers of Caryl Churchill’s writing take time to digest and ponder.  It is certainly a well-produced play, which evokes deep thought in our present day reality.  This Royal Court Theatre production is playing at BAM Harvey Theater for a limited time (Feb. 15 – 26). 

Domenick Danza