Susan Granger’s review of “The Roommate” (Long Wharf Theater)
In Aesop’s Fables, after a city mouse visits his naïve cousin in the country, he offers his cousin a taste of the ‘fine life’ in the city. As it turns out, the country mouse discovers that he rather live where it’s quiet and simple, instead of the luxurious but dangerous city.
I don’t know if it was intentional, but in the opening play of the Long Wharf season, playwright Jen Silverman has created a slyly subversive reversal of this concept.
A lonely, divorced empty-nester, Sharon (Linda Powell) has rented part of her Iowa City home to Robyn (Tasha Lawrence), who has just arrived after driving from New York City. They meet in the spacious kitchen and, gradually, get acquainted.
Obviously sheltered from any semblance of sophistication, Sharon is remarkably innocent, filled with avid curiosity about her new housemate and the many cardboard boxes she’s unloaded.
Robyn quickly informs Sharon she’s not only a vegetarian but has her own cooking utensils. She identifies as a lesbian and smokes, both of which immediately unnerve Sharon, who also has no idea that the two thriving houseplants Robyn has brought along are actually marijuana.
At first, as these revelations occur, the audience laughs, often uproariously, at Sharon’s expense. Then, as Sharon develops a taste, even a fondness for the excitement of ‘forbidden fruit,’ things get serious.
Under the astute direction of Mike Donahue, this long, two-character drama is performed without an intermission, which means it gets quite tedious, even though Ms. Silverman’s dialogue is often witty.
Both resourceful actresses do their best to grasp their nebulous roles – with varying veracity. But the device of numerous land-line phone calls from their grown, perhaps alienated, children is awkward, at best. In this day and age, why don’t they have cell phones?
On the plus side, the production design by Dane Laffrey (set), Reza Behjat (lighting), Anita Yavich (costume), and Stowe Nelson (sound) is admirable.
Bottom line: this regional theater production needs a lot more work.
“The Roommate” runs at Long Wharf Theater in New Haven through November 4. Call 203-787-4282 for tickets for information.