Archive for April 6th, 2007

Reverie Productions new play, “RearViewMirror”, now playing at 59E59 Theatres, is without a doubt one of the best new plays of the year. Three young actors sit on stools on an empty stage. They tell their intertwining stories, mainly in monologue form, rarely interacting directly with each other. Penn (the understated, perfectly cast Mark Alhadeff), is a guy who loves Orthodox Jewish women, His girlfriend, Agatha (played by astonishing actress Audrey Lynn Weston), is struggling with her own faith, and finding her identity in unikely places. Thrown into the mix is Inez (played by the very solid Sarah Nina Hayon), an Orthodox Jewish woman who has just left her husband and is also working to find herself.

The play is inspried by the classic Greek tragedy, “The Bacchae”, and explores similar themes by using its own, modern, distinct voice. Obsession, sexuality, faith, and self-awareness are all explored, abandoned, and revisited by these three compelling characters, and although there is no action on stage, the 80 minute play is not for a moment anything but thrilling.

Playright Eric Winick has captured something extraordinary here. His characters are complicated, sympathetic and intriguing, and the story they tell is beautiful, tragic and funny. The choppy ending sticks out in the midst of his clear, crisp story, but the three talented actors pull it off with real passion. Weston sticks out as a truly diverse and exceptional actress, finding humor in all the right places, and comitting to the dramatic moments, and the troubled character. Hayon and Alhadeff shine as well, and together thet are most certainly one of the best young casts around.

Director Carl Forsman has accomplished something phenomenal: three characters sitting in stools as one of the best productions in town today. His direction is seamless and committed, and his love of the script and the characters is elegantly apparent.

“RearViewMirror” is not only a good play, but most likely the must-see production of the Spring. Don’t miss it.

Tickets and Information available online.