Jeff (Michael Cera) is an apartment security guard on the graveyard shift; unaccustomed to long, empty hours, eager for any kind of human contact. At 27, he’s moved back in with hostile parents having been dishonorably discharged from the navy for smoking marijuana. Bad decisions plague him. He’s well-intentioned but has little judgment and no moral compass. Jeff might, at first glance, be called a loser.
Brian Tyree Henry
Intermittent respite comes only in stop-ins from local beat cops. Prime among these is Jeff’s boss, William (Brian Tyree Henry), a black, by-the-book lifer who’s under the illusion that good work will advance him. The older man pushes his protégé to better himself, lately recommending a book called The Six Habits of Motivated People. “I think of you as a project. You got potential.”
Tonight, William is anxious. His good-for-nothing brother got picked up with two other men on what’s later revealed to be robbery and grisly murder charges. Though he wasn’t found on premises, it looks bad. Pleading innocence, assuming he won’t get fair treatment, his brother asks that William provide an alibi. The guard agonizes over family loyalty, sociological reality, and his own staunch ethics. What if he IS guilty? He confides in Jeff.
Chris Evans and Bel Powley
Also checking up on the hood are police partners Bill (Chris Evans of Captain America fame) and naïve rookie Dawn (Bel Powley). Bill is the kind of macho braggart who makes his own rules protected by the fraternity to which he’s committed. He comes on to Dawn with the kind of ersatz sensitive lines only a newbie would and does believe. The audience regularly groans. Reacting reflexively to a brawl, she’s put an aggressive man in the hospital. Bill assures the girl he’ll back her up.
Dawn must wait downstairs while Bill visits a “friend” in Jeff’s building. Mrs. Heinbolt has what Jeff euphemistically describes as “a very active social life.” The rookie, of course, hasn’t a clue. This comes out as Jeff awkwardly asks her on a date. (He’s turned on by fantasies of tricked out, naked women cops.) She seethes.
Brian Tyree Henry, Bel Powley, Michael Cera, Chris Evans
Written in 2001, Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero fully resonates. The play features professional blackmail, sexual harassment, dictates of conscience, social handicaps, our changing relationship with those hired to protect us, and racial bigotry. Agendas prompt crossing boundaries. Relationships change radically. Consequences linger after the curtain comes down.
The playwright manages to execute all this with constant humor. Constan t- from the opening scene. Characters are fully fleshed out, dialogue is specific and evocative.
Michael Cera’s personification of eternal vagary and hopeful blundering make Jeff’s actions credible and painful. Brian Tyree Henry imbues William with a desperate, palpable, challenged sense of morality. Silent moments are extremely telling.
Chris Evens is clearly more than spandex-covered pecs. The actor makes Bill equally despicable and attractive. As Dawn, Bel Powley is part susceptible girl, part outraged woman, both clearly realized.
Director Trip Cullman employs a light hand on heavy content. Physicalization of characters is distinct. Timing is impeccable. No actor seems ill at ease with nothing to actually do.
David Rockwell’s minimal, revolving Set works perfectly as environment and metaphor.
The newly refurbished Hayes Theater is fresh and attractive though one has to be 5’5″ or under to have one’s knees fit.
Photos Joan Marcus
Opening: Michael Cera
2ND Stage presents
Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan
Directed by Trip Cullman
Through May 13, 2018
The Hayes Theater
240 West 44th Street
