The long way home – ‘4000 Miles’ at Carpenter Square Theatre.
Ryan Echols Published: May 20, 2016
Preservation of modern humanity – one of the ultimate goals of theatrical art – presents an especially difficult challenge to playwrights. At any given moment, any passing person may be torn between moments of captivating elation, intense sorrow, or tragic loss – all offering the writer a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Produced by Carpenter Square Theatre, “4000 Miles” by Amy Herzog brilliantly encapsulates the mundane passion of daily existence. Presented as a relatively brief cross-section of young outdoorsman Leo’s life, the piece looks at the simplicity of humanity, the difficulties that some attempt to outrun, and the struggle of inevitable confrontation.
The lights rise on Leo quietly entering his grandmother’s New York apartment in the middle of the night. Having just completed a cross country bike trek from Seattle, he arrives seeking only a temporary bed. Startled by his unannounced visit, Vera, Leo’s grandmother, ultimately welcomes him into not only her home but also her quiet life. Struggling to confront loneliness, family, and the baggage of the past, they begin to accept one another and grow a deep friendship that neither knew they needed.
Casual and appropriately good-natured, David Burkhart plays wayfarer Leo. His nonchalant demeanor gives a great depth to Leo without any obvious effort. While some of the more intense moments of the piece feel a bit severe, the elements of ordinary conversation are delightfully true and simplistic. Clear and occasionally evocative, Lana Henson plays Leo’s elderly grandmother Vera. Henson’s engaging physicality consistently informs her work throughout the piece. Vera’s questionable morals and fiery spirit are gently smoothed under Henson’s delicate touch. Starkly cold, Stevie Michelle Aycock plays girlfriend Bec. Aycock leaves the audience yearning for a more obvious chemistry; the lack often results in a blurred appearance somewhere between uncomfortable and uninterested. Herzog’s moments of hope and unrequited love become lost in the lack of connection between the two strained lovers. Lanchi Le as party girl Amanda is a genuine treat. On-point comedy lifts her drunken stupor to a major highlight of the production. Clark’s direction, while appropriately unhurried, produces a somewhat slow feeling. The gentle life portrayed in Herzog’s drama needs the comfortable breeze of time, but it becomes difficult at times to settle down into the relaxing simplicity of Vera and Leo’s new found life.
Captivatingly poignant, the 2013 Pulitzer Prize finals “4000 Miles” by Amy Herzog gives everyone something to enjoy. Presenting both a delightfully natural slice of life as well as deep human quandary, this production has something engaging for everyone. “4000 Miles” runs through June 4th with performances at 7:30 on Thursdays, 8:00 Friday and Saturdays, and 2:00 matinees on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online at carpentersquare.com or by calling the box office at: (405) 232-6500.