Someone Spectacular– Huddled Together in a Storm
Playwright Doménica Feraud lost her mother a couple of years ago. Mom was fairly young and the writer’s “best friend.” Death came suddenly. There were months of grief counseling. Feraud feels it’s important to “carve out time” for therapy.
Six people of a bereavement group straggle in and wait for the session to start, each in his/her own world. Thom (Damian Young) lost his wife “the best part of me.” He absents himself for several business calls, yet is guilty about prioritizing work over family. Otherwise level headed, Thom might’ve committed suicide, but for his kids.
Nell (Alison Cimmet) lost the “good” sister (of two) to whom she spoke so often her husband grew jealous. Now, she talks to a cactus. The character is impatient “I paid a sitter!”; judgmental on the surface, compassionate beneath. Feraud calls her “the motor of the play.”
Delia Cunningham, Alison Cimmet, Damian Young, Shakur Tolliver, Gamze Ceylan and Ana Cruz Kayne
Julian (Shakur Tolliver) was raised by an aunt to whom he feels he owes everything. People at work think his grief is overblown – she’s only an aunt. He’s committed to being there for her family. A generally cool young man, the character finds himself surprised by lack of axis.
Evelyn (Gamze Ceylan) suffers the loss of a mother who, during childhood, mistreated her to fairy tale extreme. “I always thought I’d be relieved when she died.” That she’s survived to have her own family is an accomplishment. The character appraises others in the group with perception.
Lily (Ana Cruz Kayne) a theatrical, out of work actress, is close to nonfunctional after the death of a mother whose love and support was oxygen. She’s loud, loose, and self-involved.
Jude (Delia Cunningham) is a young married woman mourning a miscarriage that occurred too long ago to be allowed in this particular group. She’s tightly wound because of a secret. Dressed like a contemporary Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz), Jude is naïve.
Everyone has been meeting for months except Jude. Counselor Beth is late, later, then apparently not coming. What happened to her is conjectured. Should they start? How? Will customary rules be followed? “Beth said we shouldn’t compare.” Jude seems to know these by heart even though this is only her second session. Structure curbs panic.
Alison Cimmet, Gamze Ceylan, Delia Cunningham, Damian Young, Ana Cruz Kayne, Shakur Tolliver
They talk about survivor guilt, unsaid words, lies, cancer, pregnancy, the reactions of children, ghosts, toxic parents, dating, near suicide…about acting like victims themselves. Occasional laughter is credibly framed. Sometimes lights flicker and/or a beeping sound like a heart monitor is faintly heard.
The play is well written if nothing new, but for an undeveloped glimpse of the supernatural which feels awkwardly like an add-on. The ensemble is good, with facial expression and gestures by Alison Cimmet and terror from Delia Cunningham particularly vivid.
Director Tatiana Pandiani handles small stage business with imagination, movement with credibility, and pacing with great skill.
Scenic design (dots) offers an innocuous rental space with only folding chairs and table, water cooler and fluorescent lights. A half deflated silver balloon from someone’s celebration is stuck to the ceiling. (Nifty touch.) Everything is credible except the back wall of translucent plastic strips through which characters enter and leave.
Costumes by Siena Zoe Allen suit. Contents of several dumped out handbags must’ve been fun to collate.
Photos by Julieta Cervantes
Someone Spectacular by Doménica Feraud
Directed by Tatiana Pandiani
The Pershing Square Signature Center
Through August 31, 2024
480 West 42nd Street
