What's In A Name?: "Here I Go" and "Lonely, I'm Not"

A title can inspire, amuse, mystify, engage.

"Lonely, I'm Not," at 2econd Stage Theatre through June 3rd, truly deserves a more imaginative moniker. Playwright Paul Weitz does his fine romantic comedy a great disservice by not finding a worthier title to represent it. In fact "Lonely, I'm Not," is arguably the best of the four Weitz plays 2econd Stage has produced.

On the other hand, the title of the performance piece at 59E59 Theaters, also playing through June 3rd, "Here I Go,", conjures up a favorite Dolly Parton tune. "Here I Go" lives up to the promise, if not the spirit, that the tune inspires.

Heather (Olivia Thirlby) on a date with Porter (Topher Grace) in Paul Weitz’s “Lonely, I’m Not.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

The hooks in Dolly Parton's songs are so catchy and bouncy that it's hard to imagine them as a soundtrack for heartbreak, but in "Here I Go," Lynette, widowed at 60 (Natalie Leonard), not only has lost her husband but also had lost touch with her family.

Gates Loren Leonard, Michael Howell, Natalie Leonard in “Here I Go.” Photo © Corey Torpie.

"Here I Go" is a very engaging silent show, with a musical soundtrack, some of it live (Lynette at 16, Mariah Iliardi-Lowy, sings as does Michael Howell, billed as The Man) and a voice over narration (voiced by Julie Nelson.) Written by David Todd, "Here I Go" is a stylized performance conceived by Luke Leonard, who also directs, and set to Western sounds (designed by Michael Howell.)

In "Here I Go," Lynette revisits the highlights and low points of her life as a cowgirl, bringing to life her younger selves (along with her at 16 years old; at 8, Gates Loren Leonard; at 26, Jessica Pohlman).

Jessica Pohlman and Michael Howell in “Here I Go.” Photo © Corey Torpie.

"All I ever wanted was a few moments to myself, just to think...." Lynette says. "And then I'd put on my music and it would sound so sweet, because I had you and I had them.... But when you take it all away... the music just doesn't do it anymore."

In "Lonely, I'm Not," Porter (Topher Grace), still reeling from his divorce three years ago, has also fallen on hard times. Once he was a high-powered, hard-driving success. His father, Rick (Mark Blum), a con artist, still thinks of him as a soft touch, although he is running low on funds.

Little Dog (Christopher Jackson) with Porter (Topher Grace) in Paul Weitz’s “Lonely, I’m Not.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

Actors' Revenge and Other Clowning

Eugene O'Neill ("The Iceman Cometh," "Long Day's Journey into Night," "Mourning Becomes Electra" etc.)is not known for inspiring chuckles but the New York Neo-Futurists (Neos) know how to get guffaws out of tough material.

In fact, you might think of "The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill Volume One: Early Plays/Lost Plays," at The Kraine Theatre through extended to October 1st, 8th as the actor's revenge on a playwright loath to allow anyone to mess with his vision. It is said that O'Neill would have preferred to have his plays just read, not acted, and his elaborate stage directions suggest an obsessive desire to micro-manage all aspects in the performance of his work.

With "The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill Volume One: Early Plays/Lost Plays," the Neos continue the tradition they started in the mid '90s of "embracing chance, change and chaos."

The cast, six enactors, -- Danny Burman, Brendan Donaldson, Cara Francis, Connor Kalista (not pictured,) Erica Livingston, and Lauren Sharpe, --and
a narrator, Jacquelyn Landgraf (also not pictured), are inventive and lively.

Photo © Anton Nickel  

"The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill Volume One: Early Plays/Lost Plays," adapted and directed by Christopher Loar, compiled from seven early O'Neill works, features narrated stage directions which lead the ensemble to scramble, reassemble props, strike poses, fall onto seats, and make their exits.

There is no O'Neill script for the Neos to follow, but they elicit hysterical laughter while depicting O'Neill's descriptions of action, character (in both senses of the word.)

The cast entertain by making nuanced adjustments to capture expressions, gestures, even sighs. "The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill Volume One: Early Plays/Lost Plays" is exhilirating and giddy.

For more on "The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill Volume One: Early Plays/Lost Plays," and the Neos work, please visit http://www.nyneofuturists.org/
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The Other Clowning: Jaime Carswell and Nancy Trotter Landry, under the direction of Pablo Ibarluzea are "Cirque De Legume"

It's the leeks, carrots, beets, onions, artichoke, lettuce and hot peppers that give these circus artists, Jaime Carswell and Nancy Trotter Landry, their name. They are "Cirque De Legume!"

"Cirque De Legume," at 59E59 Theaters, as part of the citywide 1st Irish Festival, through October 2nd, hail from London by way of Paris' respected "clown school"--Ecole Jacques Lecoq. Jaime Carswell and Nancy Trotter Landry enter to rollicking big tent music and great fanfare.

Photo © Mark Fearon  

After their big entrance, they seem ill-at-ease, and the rest of the performance is dedicated to challenging the audience. "How about that?" is their refrain after every trick. "Cirque De Legume" ise delicious slight-of-hand, and acrobatics in their successful effort to please the crowd.
They add a sports metaphor to their routine when she spells out C-I-R-Q-U-E... and they bump chests.

Training a barking lettuce named "Dusty" to jump for a carrot is just the opening number in this manic and charming show.

Visit www.59E59.org
for a schedule of performances. Also see what else is taking place during the 1st Irish Festival at http://www.1stirish.org/