By Annette Hinkle
Poor Harry Berlin. He has nothing. No money, no job, no prospects, no one who loves him. No reason to live. So he plans to jump off a very high bridge in a very big city.
Yes, Murray Schisgal’s play “Luv” opens with a suicide attempt. Which would be downright tragic — if not for the fact that this is a comedy.
“Luv,” which opened last weekend at Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater, was a Broadway hit when it premiered in 1964 (directed by Mike Nichols, it starred Alan Arkin, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson). This revival nearly half a century later is directed by Lonny Price, the Broadway director who helmed the comedy “Dissonance” at Bay Street Theatre a few years ago, and is produced by the John Drew’s artistic director Josh Gladstone. Because the script dates to the mid-‘60s the flavor and sometimes less than liberated views can take some getting used to. But once you learn to submit and ride it like a wave, you might find the whole package a good deal of fun.
The three character play stars Kahan James as the misfit Harry (James is a late replacement for Ricardo Chavira who left the cast shortly before opening night). Moments before plunging into the river below, he is confronted by Milt Manville (Robert Stanton) who pulls him off the rail when he realizes he’s an old college friend.
In the midst of hearing Harry’s hard luck story, Milt witnesses first-hand a series of uncontrollable seizures that leave Harry momentarily catatonic, blind, deaf or dumb (though not at the same time — these unpredictable afflictions hit him individually and usually in the midst of a sentence).
Trying to be kind, Milt responds to his friend’s nihilistic world view by regaling him with tales of how well his own life is going by comparison. A good job, expensive suits, a house in the suburbs and Ellen (Jennifer Regan), his well-read and highly educated wife are all part of the package.
Yes, Milt’s in love….
But not with Ellen….
Who won’t give him a divorce….
So, thinks Milt, perhaps Harry might like to meet Ellen, fall in love with her and take her off his hands so he is free to marry his mistress.
This is actually plan B. Ellen is scheduled to appear on the bridge any minute now to meet Milt, who, we learn, is of questionable moral character as he initially intended to kill her there.
That was plan A.
Despite it’s title, this play isn’t likely to incite “love at first sight” and it honestly takes some time to warm up to, probably by design. The first act is so quickly paced and jam packed with set-up material, a certain suspension of belief and attitude adjustment is required on the part of the audience before things can proceed. The cornball 1960 sensibilities and the over simplistic emphasis on the power of love are also a hurdle, but one cleared before too long.
And once the rules are established, like the payoff after a slow ride up the first hill of a roller coaster, it’s a great ride. Just as an experienced improv troupe defines the parameters of their next sketch, the sort of comedic situations we encounter early in the play set the stage for the entire evening and should serve as a cue as to where it’s all heading.
Luckily, the talent in this production pulls it altogether in a knowing way.
Director Lonny Price gets the humor right and allows his cast the room they need to do it justice. As Harry, Kahan James plays the straight man well — an admirable feat considering he was brought into the cast only very recently. Quite fun to watch is Milt in the form of Robert Stanton (who appeared in Bay Street’s “Dissonance”). A lanky scarecrow of a man with a rubber face and great comedic timing, Stanton’s voice, earnest mannerisms and physical awareness all seem built for comedy. But perhaps some of the best moments of the evening belong to Jennifer Regan as Ellen. With a dead-pan face that suddenly morphs into melodramatic expressions, this is an actress who isn’t afraid to milk it for all it’s worth.
It’s absurdist humor at it’s best, and while at times it speaks to another generation, “Luv,” holds its own admirable — particularly in Act II. The repetitive bits, the lamentations that circle around and come back to bite the characters in the ass, it all works. And by the end, we’re right there with them – ready to suspend belief and dive into 1964 for all it’s worth. Mink coats, bouffants, tilted fedoras and go-go boots… bring it on.
Supplementing the action is James Noone’s clever bridge-themed set, which is marvelous. The buildings of the New York skyline are made of collages of famous figures from the ‘60s — making it retro and contemporary at the same time. The wall of the bridge and supporting cables give the actors plenty to use for dramatic effect and Noone has even provided them with a sand-pit for getting down and dirty.
As a whole, the production is reminiscent of some of the best sketch material from variety programs like the Carol Burnett Show — another ‘60s staple. This cast functions as a true ensemble, playing off one another in a way that builds to a crescendo. It’s refreshing to see a play in which all the characters are equally weighted. There’s no walk-on roles here.
Light, airy and unpretentious, this is a play for the season. While it may at times raise the deeper questions of existentialism on a superficial level, lucky for us, it certainly doesn’t seek to answer them. Which is fine with us. It is, after all, summer … and I’ll have the gazpacho.
“Luv” runs through July 1 at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall (158 Main Street, East Hampton). Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with some matinees. Tickets are $38 to $85. Call 324-4050 to reserve.
Top: Kahan James, Robert Stanton and Jennifer Regan star as Harry Berlin, Milt Manville and Ellen Manville respectively in "Luv" at the John Drew theater at Guild Hall. (Gary Mamay photo).
