Review
Wisdom of Obscurity
Written by Elliot Joseph; Directed by Mahayana Landowne
Paper Dragon
Written by Alisha Silver; Directed by Lori Kee
Off Off Broadway, Plays
Runs through 4.30.11
Manhattan Theatre Source, 177 MacDougal Street
BOTTOM LINE: Wisdom of Obscurity and Paper Dragon are sister shows about disillusioned youth in London and New York respectively running in rep as part of NyLon fusions transatlantic initiative.
NyLon Fusion is currently running two related shows in rep at Manhattan Theatre Source: one by a British author set in London and one by an American playwright set in Brooklyn. Both plays deal with nests of disappointed friends who are being pushed to find a stronger grip on their lives. Company co-founder Elliot Joseph's script was selected first, and then Alisha Silver, a member of the NyLon Writers Collective, was commissioned to write an American response. Both plays have corresponding themes and share structural similarities, but are distinctly different and representative of varying national perspectives.
Wisdom of Obscurity hinges on the story of Sammy, a layabout who is ignited out of stagnation by the Tao Te Ching and teams with a violent homeless man Jim to start a movement against escalating chip prices at the local Chinese joint. This new crusade leaves him with little patience for the confusion of his girlfriend Vanessa, his romantically estranged roommates Amelia and Kes, his newly rich poet friend Vince, or his mouthy landlord Victor. Emotions come to the head as does the fight against Chang's Chips, and trial by fire may change these friends' lives forever.
The script's genre is summed up by Jonathan Blakeley's line, "our generation isn't really very centered, is it?" While I am not usually a fan of youth torment plays like subUrbia and This is Our Youth, Wisdom of Obscurity manages to harness that raw power of anxt without alienating the audience. The script is witty without being self-conscious, and the discontent of the characters manifests as activity rather than whining.
The performances in Wisdom are remarkable. Elliot Joseph and Jonathan Blakeley open the show with a cymbal crash of cacophonous energy, bantering, rough housing, and filling the whole space with their bodies and energy. My attention was grabbed from the start and maintained throughout by the compelling, dynamic cast. Even when choices were strange, I was entranced by the teenage-like charm of unchecked impulses. This is a cast that is excited and committed to creating this piece for the audience.
Alisha Silver's reaction play Paper Dragon also finds a group of friends whose unsettled lives revolve around an apartment share, but this time the cast is reeling from the death of their friend Andy. Andy is survived by his heartful lesbian sister Ronnie and his broken leg/ broken soul brother Walter who share an apartment with their sexually ambitious friend Eleanor. This house also plays host to Bot, whose girlfriend is being deported, Jesse, Andi's grieving girlfiend, Eleanor's yuppie-jerk boyfriend Jayson, and their gay pal Bobby. Between them all are old rivalries, forbidden loves, and new romantic opportunities, but only if they can let go of past hurts and habits.
Paper Dragon is a beautiful script about breaking rules, coexisting, and getting through. The characters are deeply drawn and very real. The world of these people is so actualized and recognizable, that I left the theatre wondering if I should move back to Brooklyn.
This is also attributable to a second robust cast of NyLon company members, particularly Caroline Bloom and Justin Maruri who perform with naturalism and ease, lulling the audience to believe we are glimpsing a sliver of an actual life.
While both shows make full use of the space, Paper Dragon seems to fit itself into the theatre more easily. In some ways Wisdom of Obscurity blocks around the restrictions of the space while Paper Dragon blocks within them. Still, with the theatre seating rearranged, both shows have to deal with problematic sightlines with the lobby entrance.
Manahattan Theatre Source is the perfect setting for these shows. . There is something casual but serious about this studio theatre on the second floor of what could be mistaken for another NYU building that perfectly matches this company's dedication to art and sharing both work and a process.
Dedicated to cultivating transatlantic work and collaboration, NyLon Fusion isn't your average off off Broadway theatre company; they are ambitious and broad. Co-founded by Elliot Joseph and Ivette Dumeng, NyLon Fusion simultaneously produces shows, retains a company of actors, and supports a writers collective to develop new works. Their current project brings all of these elements into focus.
Both these productions are ambitious and far-reaching. So many shows producing on a budget self-restrict, imposing ideas of what they can and cannot accomplish. It is obvious from the fully actualized set, sound, lighting, makeup, and costumes that these producers did not think, "how much can we reasonably do?" NyLon Fusion was open to the possibility that everything could be achieved, and it pays off in more theatrical shows.
These are two lovely scripts, played out in brilliant and very different ways, both dealing with issues of life and death, direction, and overcoming our own selves. This company is excited and passionate about creating work, and it comes across in these exciting, passionate productions. This is truly worthwhile independent theatre.
(Wisdom of Obscurity and Paper Dragon play at Manhattan Theatre Source, 177 MacDougal Street between Waverly and West 8th, through April 30th. Remaining performances for Wisdom of Obscurity are April 23rd at 3 PM, April 27th at 8 PM, April 29th at 9 PM, and April 30th at 8 PM. Remaining performances for Paper Dragon are April 22nd at 8 PM, April 23rd at 8 PM, April 26th at 8 PM, April 28th at 8 PM, and April 30th at 3 PM. Tickets are $18 or $12 for students and seniors and can be purchased from ovationtix.)