I have to begin by saying this is one of my favorite plays. I don't remember how or when I discovered it, but I've had the script for a few years and managed to read it quite a few times. If you know me that's a big thing, because I don't just sit down and read scripts very often. So before last Sunday I had never seen the show onstage, just in my imagination.
As much as I wanted to finally see it realized in front of me, I was hesitant because I didn't want to be disappointed. I allowed myself to walk into the theater knowing I would be disappointed, that way when I was it wouldn't be so disappointing (I'll stop using that word now).
Surprise! I thought it was fantastic! Really, I'm just as surprised as you are right now. I didn't think I would like it because I had such a vision of what it should be like in my head and nothing. But it was truly a remarkably well done piece of theater.
One of the reasons I love this show is because there's nothing frilly about it and it is as realistic as a play can be. The set was amazing -- a studio apartment with a door leading out to the hall and one leading to the bathroom, which we could see action happening in through a frosted window on stage left. Apartment buildings with windows and fire escapes took up the rest of the stage behind the apartment we could see into in order to utilize the whole stage. Lights could be seen going on and off in different windows helping create the illusion of passing time. Everything on the set was believable and helped bring the audience into the time, which was 1982.
Michael Cera played Warren, and the part could've been written for him. In reading the play I don't think I ever pictured someone as awkward as Cera taking on the role, but it worked so well! He never knew how to stand, and was constantly fidgeting. It was obvious he didn't quite know where he fit in the world yet. Yeah, his voice was the typical Michael Cera high pitched monotone, but that didn't bother me. His vocal pattern made the funny parts funny and the sad parts sad. I felt for him, but also felt he was an idiot. He's a movie star (sort of?), but he did a kick ass job onstage.
Kieran Culkin was the highlight of the play. There's not too much to say other than he was incredible and the few times he left the stage had me wishing he would come back, and then when he did it made it that much more exciting. The buddy-buddy thing Cera and Culkin had going on was so so so fun to watch, but also left you unsettled because of the way Culkin's character, Dennis, treats Warren. They worked well together, and the physical comedy was enjoyable, exciting, and hysterical.
The biggest qualm I had about this production was Tavi Gevinson as Jessica. I feel like I'm constantly talking about how a show would be better off without the female character, but here she plays an important part. The actress wasn't all that great, and I didn't love her portrayal of Jessica, but she did the job. The relationship between Warren and Dennis is the star of the show, and Warren's relationship to Jessica is just extra.
So I give this production a big old thumbs up. I'm very happy I was able to see it, and I'm very happy I wasn't disappointed.
Side note: I bought my tickets through the app TodayTix for $35.00 (not including fees). I highly recommend the app, and to pick up the tickets you just meet the TodayTix concierge out in front of the theater a half hour before the performance.
