A Life: Theatre Review by Robin Gorman Newman
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
David Hyde Pierce is a long way from his beloved role on the sitcom Frasier. Those fans who fancy his deadpan comedic delivery will get a glimmer of that in A Life, but Pierce goes much deeper and delivers a raw and revealing, literally, performance as a middle aged, single gay man living solo in NYC who has a somewhat vacuous existence. In an overly lengthy opening, Pierce (Nate) shares with the audience (in as entertaining fashion as he can) much that is lacking including an ex boyfriend and other failed relationships, a dissatisfying job, a notepad full of To Do items, and how he has become enthralled with astrology to help makes sense of it all. His search for spirituality has proven unsuccessful including the pursuit of therapy and church going. We feel his exasperation and our own, as he rambles on in his desire for truth-seeking.
In another scene, we see him sitting on a park bench with his best friend, Curtis (the appealing Brad Heberlee), as they ogle muscled joggers, vowing that they too should it up to run with that crowd. They don’t have much else to say to each other.
From there, things take a turn and not an upswing. (I’m not gonna reveal the spoiler).
Directed by Ann Kaufman and written by Adam Bock, there’s considerable squirm value but little revelation in the storyline. Whether the audience is watching the stage with a stone-faced actor in what feels like an endless silence or bearing witness to small talk made during a highly sensitive, lingering scene, it’s all somewhat painful. If that is the point, then the show succeeds. I found myself mentally plotting an exit about midway of the 85 minutes, no intermission, production. With no opportunity in sight, I opted to look away.
The cast includes Marinda Anderson, Nedra McClyde and Lynne McCollough, who capably take on multiple roles.
One of the star vehicles of the piece is the impressive revolving set (by Laura Jellinek). It injects a dose of intrigue and energy in a play that is otherwise somewhat lifeless, and oddly emotionless. The takeaway….despite the oft mundaneness of life and its ups ‘n downs, one may take solace in the familiar and comfort in the every day because our time here is fleeting and our destiny is in the stars, according to Nate. I’d, personally, prefer to read my Horoscope in tomorrow’s newspaper.
A Life is at Playwrights Horizons, 416 W. 42nd St., through December 4th.
