Theatre Review by Ron Fassler . . .
If you aren’t aware of who Kara Young is by now you are missing out on one of the best actresses currently working in the theatre. And man does she work! In the last three theatre seasons she snagged three Tony nominations in the Featured Actress in a Play category, finally winning it this year for her outrageously funny performance in Purlie Victorious. Her capacity for drama and comedy seem to know no bounds and she’s displaying both in magnificent fashion in Douglas Lyons’ Table 17, currently winding up its limited engagement at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theatre Space on West 52nd Street. Sadly, the final few shows are sold out, but fear not: rumor has it there are plans to move the production perhaps a few blocks east so it will give Ms. Young another shot at a Tony—this time for Best Actress.
The three-character play, under the expert direction of Zhailon Levingston, treads on familiar territory. In lesser hands, it might seem like your average run-of-the-mill relationship drama you’ve seen a hundred times. Not so here as Lyons has imbued his two leading characters with life and love. The results are nothing short of joyous. I was a fan of the playwright’s previous comedy Chicken and Biscuits, which played at Circle in the Square in 2021. But with Table 17, Lyons makes a profound leap forward in digging deeper and finding the drama, while still maintaining his strong comedic take. The mix is glorious.
The action is centered around a date (or is it a date?) of two former affianced lovers who meet for the first time in two years after their breakup. Told in a fluid style, the time line jumps back and forth (cleverly staged and costumed) so we see them at the beginning, middle and end of their relationship. Jada (Kara Young) is a forceful, pragmatic type with an excitable mien. She feels things deeply and, in flashback, we see how committed she is to making the relationship work. A flight attendant, we never find out if she harbors more of a career than that, but her lover Dallas (Biko Eisen-Martin, excellent) is all about career. A mechanic and struggling musician, his neglect of Jada while pursuing connections to further his goals is what causes the rift that splits the pair apart. With snappy and crisp dialogue, you can’t wait for the next scene to further the action, whether it’s in the past or present. It never crossed my mind I was watching a rom-com (perhaps because I reserve that term to films). I only mention it to pay compliment to what Lyons has achieved here. It’s not some sort of homage; it’s very much its own special play.
A third actor is on hand, Michael Rishawn, who among other characters, plays two very specific ones who couldn’t be more different: an extraordinary gay host/waiter with more attitude than can be stuffed into his tight pants and a very straight flight attendant with designs on Jada. Rishawn is superb in each of his assignments. Credit to Levingson’s assured direction here, not only with his actors, but the terrific sound (Christopher Darbassie), lighting (Ben Stanton), costumes (Devario D. Simmons), and scenic design (Jason Sherwood). Shout out to the hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis, too, whose work with Ms. Young specifically is perfection. It’s not for nothing, Ms. Mathis is the first wig designer to receive a special Tony for her work on last season’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
In monologues and even asides to the audience, we are taken into the confidence of all the characters. Every time Rishawn’s waiter River spoke to us made for pure delight. Again, a trope that’s been done to death only needs a freshness in approach to make it all new again. If you cherish the feeling of being in a theatre where you are completely at one with everyone seated in front, in back, and beside you, Table 17 provides one of those rare experiences.
Table 17 is playing at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theatre Space, 511 West 52nd Street. It runs through Sunday September 29th and is currently sold out. This information about possible cancellations is from the official website: “Sold-out public performances of TABLE 17 will include a cancellation line for any tickets that might get returned or donated closer to curtain time. Names for the cancellation line will be taken beginning 2 hours before each performance, exclusively in-person at the theater, and will be called as tickets become available. Must be in-person once name is called for purchasing. Up to 2 tickets per customer. Cancellation line tickets are $69, all inclusive.”
Photos by Daniel J. Vasquez.
Headline photo: Kara Young (Jada) in Table 17.