SCR Theater's Memorable Offer of Author Amy Herzog's '4000 Miles' Touches Us At Every Mile

                        
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Theater: SCR
Theater's Memorable Production of Author Amy Herzog's '4000 Miles'
Touches Us At Every Mile

Review By: Joseph Sirota

South
Coast Repertory (SCR) continues its diverse line of noteworthy live theater
(From Classics to new Premiers) now in its 50th anniversary season. Playwright Amy
Herzog's "4000 Miles" is a splendidly winning choice of a deeply
touching charmer of a play. It grabs us by both humor and heartache as it centers
on the recollections of two odd leading roles: A Greenwich Village 90+ grandma
and her suddenly stopping in, 20+ grandson who's hoping to use Grandma's
apartment after his long physically tiring, but internally "cleansed-feelings"
due to his cross country bicycle trek. As Grandma Vera and Grandson Leo each
start to relate thoughts of their lives' family, friends, neighbors and
loved-ones of the past and present, their dialogs (terrifically written and
superbly acted), show flawless comedic timing and speaking. However, don't jump
to the conclusion that they quickly re-find each other as perfect pals, nor delighted
to be together close and warm again. Indeed, the opening dialog cleverly shows
us Leo (tired, broke & dirty or not) is about to rush out the door and
sleep in a park or alley cause, they do NOT see eye-to-eye about who he should
at least call (family, prior girl friends to let them know he's here, etc. It's
a pivotal, smart "beat" in the play's KEY lesson; Getting close ain't
easy! We'll learn(if wise)
that this theme goes for us, too. Being true to ourselves, but accepting
others' flaws takes wisdom.

In
Grandma and Leo's few days together, each begins to value having someone they
can speak openly of sensitive and private happenings in their lives. Many are
brief mentions, but of powerful Life Disappointments
that they hadn't through all the years till now, had anyone to listen without attacking
these deepest feelings. Topics like: Parental Values/Interference; Cheating Men,
Demanding Women, Embarrassing Kisses, even Past Sex Tales that linger in memory
as "simply weren't very satisfying". Ultimately, the subject of "LOSSES"
climbs to the top of life experiences; being left by someone walking out, or dying
and gone forever. Uncovering their feelings on such subjects bring up key
important values to these two different people, 70 years apart, yet suddenly
able to speak truly together in the few hours within the few days of listening,
(even if Vera's hearing aide batteries often wear out). We (& Leo)come to
understand Vera's kindness beneath her tough NY armor street talk. 

This
play is Funny, Heartbreaking (an Obie Winner & Pulitzer finalist) and a
Worthy Lesson in being strong in your values, but not Angry to Punish or
Shut-Off anyone who doesn't agree completely with you.(You'd be painting
yourself into, stress and solitary confinement). Thanks to beyond-good talent
in each piece of this SCR production: 1--The entertaining/illuminating script by
Ms .Herzog; 2--The always twice as understanding and creative as many directors
by David Emmes (Bravo yet again! on balancing the lessons with the comedy); 3--
The excellent Cast of: Jenny O'Hara, the almost
spiritually born lead with comedic gifted magic, who as Grandma Vera, once
again makes everyone on stage or audience marvel at how she can deliver lines
with outlandish facial/body signs and timing, that makes it seem just her
natural way to knock us laughing to the floor! This is the second time I've
seen Ms O'Hara just win the audience into her hands with a mesmerizing
performance. This may be Award
Land later. Matt
Caplan, as Grandson Leo, is no slouch either in comic timing and delivery,
mixed believably with the inner stress and worries of "Am I living the
Life I Should Be?" ... And with the girl, the friends and the family I
should be with. Leo made me nervous... a complement, as his character was destined to worry
about people, jobs and meaning all through life, until he ran into Grandma Vera
who showed Leo to complain and give opinions, without pushing away, or hurting
others... amen ! As for the two girls we saw in Leo's visit home, Rebecca
Mozo did a truly believable role of loving Leo, for many years, but
still torn by what a life it would be trying to make him happy and wanting to
be part of a connected couple for life. Klarissa Mesee did a fine job
as the short-time girl in Leo's NY return. Mesee was cool/coquettish,
sexy, yet young and not wanting to be hurt in an unkind brief tryst for two
young adults. As usual SCR has Adept++ teams of off stage technical
artists. This set is wisely confined to Vera's flat... the simple place where
all lives change. 

By
the play's closing curtain, we care alot for the two distant, rarely visiting family,
old/young Vera/Leo, and even for the well-portrayed young women we meet briefly
as-- visitors to Leo. So much is unveiled in about 100 minutes; I'd deem
this play more than just a quality entertainment, but (if you "let it
in"), also a piercing learning experience that delivers more wisdom and
more "AhHa" moments than two 50 minute sessions with a psychologist.
The play's very last words from Grandma Vera to Leo gives us a final hint on
how to be one's inner self in a world of people who don't always agree with you,
but aren't horrid, either. Vera's on her way to the funeral of an old neighbor lady
she had a  pact with for ages to phone
each other once each day to check and see if the other is still alive, not hurt,
disintegrating or "smellily" on their floor alone. For recent years
they quarreled more than chat like friends, but still honored a daily call
promise. Leo is going with Vera to the funeral. He even had knocked and found
the neighbor weak though he had never met nor knew her. Vera and Leo before
attending ponder what to say. Vera tells him in brief words what Leo
(and we, the audience, shouldn't forget.)  Vera, always thinking in truisms, tells Leo,
that the neighbor in recent years had truly given up her earlier years in show
biz- and lost her husband so in recent years had become mainly "A Pain in
the ASS". But Vera thought better/kinder as is her wont, and she recalled
all the plants the neighbor grew in her flat -- Leo was relieved and spoke up
that he too had seen the bright Green Forest he had noticed in the neighbor's
place. There was the answer ...not exactly happy for a long time, but rather
than close a past neighbor's life's last memory as a "Pain In The
ASS". She would be remembered as the woman with a great green thumb and
a Forest Of Plants in her home. So Be It !  We don't have to lie of never see Asses in
Life, but let's recall their gardens, too! 
  

=>4000 Miles -- Now On SCR's Segerstrom
Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, CA Sched: Tues-Fri: 7:30pm Saturday-Sunday:
2:30pm & 7:30pm  Closes: Nov 17 (No eve show Nov 17)   Length:
1-3/4 Hrs... Suitability:
Adults & Teens  Tkts: $22-Up

 (Call For Specials)   Call For Tickets: 714-708-5555   Online Site:  www.SCR.org