My thoughts on STUNNING (potential spoilers?)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/6/09 at 5:29pm

There are a variety of stunning moments in STUNNING, a LCT3 production of a play by David Adjmi, directed by Anne Kauffman at the Duke. In fact, the first 3/4 of Adjmi's play, as staged by Kauffman, acted by a tremendous ensemble and intricately designed, are theater at its finest. It's the last 1/4, while still well-directed, acted, designed where the piece falters. It struck me as a writer who went as far as he could with his idea and had no ending that would work, so he decided to pull an eleven o'clock switcheroo, which ultimately destroys most everything that the piece has accomplished.

STUNNING is an American play dealing with themes that are both entirely American and extremely foreign at the same time. Lily is a Syrian-Jewish-American-Princess of 16, married to Ike, an old man of 40. This stuff actually happens. Few people know about it. Lily hires a black maid, Blanche, who she wants to call AnnaMaria, because that was her maid when she was "a child." Lily is as immature as it gets and prone to panic attacks. Blanche, lesbian, ultra-educated, fine, upstanding, prone to frequent bursts of anger. Ike wants children; Lily does not. Blanche and Lily kiss. Lily falls "in love" with her.

Etecetra. Then there's a twist. A highly implausible twist that the play would be far better without. And from that twist comes an ending that doesn't function as much of an ending; keeping the twist and ending it 5 minutes sooner would work far better. Cutting the twist is a far better option, but because there's no real ending without it, it won't be cut. I'll go more into detail if people request it - either here or via PM.

It's unfortunate, because STUNNING is a very VERY promising piece that, if the last quarter were better, could end up as next year's RUINED. Adjimi's writing is sharp and not verbose; the characters are well-drawn and, until the twist, distinct and REAL.

Cristin Milioti is sensational as Lily; Charlayne Woodard and Danny Mastrogiorgio deliver finely shaded performances as Blanche and Ike. The remaining ensemble members are strong and convincing as well.

The set, versatile and borderline shape shifting is designed by Donald Korins. Combine with Japhy Weideman's lighting, it's a sight to behold.

With the right work, STUNNING could be the next big hit, if LCT chooses to transfer it to the Newhouse or a small Broadway space. Let's hope they figure out how to get the entire show to live up to the potential it displays. Updated On: 6/6/09 at 05:29 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/6/09 at 5:52pm

Thanks, yankee! I'd love to know the twist.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/6/09 at 7:17pm

Check your PMs.

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 6/6/09 at 10:13pm

Nice review! Could I also hear about the twist? Thanks.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/6/09 at 11:19pm

I guess that's all I needed to know. I'm getting a ticket!