Man from Nebraska
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Cititour.com Review
Is there any actor around better at portraying the so-called “everyman” – especially the complicated everyman – than Reed Birney? As he brilliantly proved last year in his Tony-winning work in “The Humans,” and currently as Ken Carpenter, the title character of Tracy Letts’ compelling “Man from Nebraska,” Birney has the ability to make us not just empathize with his onstage alter-egos (even when their actions are less than savory), but also see ourselves in his eyes.
Fortunately, Birney is just one chain in the link of David Cromer’s sensitively directed and impeccably acted production of this alternatively comic and dramatic work. After we watch a stifling day of routine for Ken alongside his slightly dour wife Nancy (the superlative Annette O’Toole), from attending church to visiting his dying mother (Kathleen Pierce) in a nursing home, it’s not altogether shocking that the seemingly stoic breaks down in uncontrollable tears. What is utterly surprising is Ken’s explanation: that he has suddenly, inexplicably lost his long-held faith in God.
Equally surprising, perhaps, is the solution proposed by Ken and Nancy’s devout if down-to-earth pastor Reverend Todd (a fine William Ragsdale): that Ken embark on a solo vacation. Ken has barely left his native Nebraska in years, and his last time away from his family -- which includes now-grown daughters Ashley (Annika Boras) and Natalie (unseen) -- was an insurance convention in Denver 20 years ago.
And so Ken hops on a jet plane to England, where he served in the Air Force 40 years ago – a place he later describes as “foreign, but not too foreign.” Untethered from his usual surroundings, Ken almost does become another person, having an almost-fling with man-hungry Pat (a hilarious Heidi Armbruster), whom he met on the plane ride over, and most notably, striking up a solid friendship with feisty African-American bartender Tamyra (Nana Mensah, in a truly star-making performance) and bonding (somewhat) with her pretentious, drug-doing flatmate, a sculptor named Harry (the excellent Max Gordon Moore).
As Ken’s absence lengthens and despair and loneliness take over, Nancy begins to unravel – although not quite enough to give in to the advances of the Reverend’s father, Bud (Tom Bloom) – and Ashley grows more judgmental of both parents by the day. Indeed, it’s not until the play’s final moments that we discover if reconciliation among the Carpenters is desirable, not to mention possible. As to whether Ken regains his faith, or ever truly lost it, that question is likely to stir some post-show discussion.
Letts’ rather episodic structure could really pose a challenge in staging, but set designer Takeshi Kata wisely has everything on stage before each act starts, lessening the time needed for the many scene changes. Keith Parham’s lighting design, initially heavy on blackouts, is ultimately quite effective, and Daniel Kluger’s musical contributions and sound design are vital to the production’s success.
Finally, a big thank-you to Second Stage for bringing this 14-year-old play (a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize) to New York. It’s not in the same league as Letts’ “August: Osage County,” to be sure, but any play that makes us consider what being human really means deserves a devoted audience.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://2st.com/shows/current-production/man-from-nebraska
Cast
Reed Birney, Annette O'Toole, Heidi Armbruster, Tom Bloom, Annika Boras, Nana Mensah, Max Gordon Moore,
Kathleen Peirce, William Ragsdale
Open/Close Dates
Opening 1/26/2017
Closing 3/26/2017
Box Office
212-246-4422
Theatre Info
Second Stage Theatre
307 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
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