WHAT: Gingerbread Lady
WHERE: Players' Ring
BLURB: It's a rare, dark script by Neil Simon
HIGH POINT: The relationships between the main characters
TL:DR An unusual and intriguing Neil Simon.
Gingerbread Lady is Neil Simon as you've never seen him.
Here's a conundrum of sorts: It's a tough play. Were it not for outstanding dialogue, strong performances, fine direction and supporting art, this would be one hell of a piece to slog through. But, luckily, everything is in perfect harmony, so rather than grueling, it hooks you and keeps you interested in the lives of its motley crew of misfits.
Gingerbread is a Neil Simon script, complete with his hallmark smart, fast and insightful dialogue. It's the storyline that's unexpected. This is a dark drama, with difficult characters, with just enough deftly planted humor to defuse its weightiness.
Current thinking has it, if you're not fond of, or don't have a family, create one. Together, the self-absorbed and self destructive Evy (Constance Witman), and friends Toby, (Ashley Risteen) a vain woman, and Jimmy (Joshua Paul Moore) a gay actor, have done just that, cobbled together their own dysfunctional tribe.
The caustic Evy, the collective's linchpin, is returning from 10 weeks in rehab. At this point in her life, her substance abuse has destroyed most everything in her life, including blood family, and career.
Toby, the beautiful friend, with a pathological fear of aging, brings her home, where the two are greeted by a hovering, anxious Jimmy, a man whose career is diving before ever rising, after decades in theater.
There's a real connection between the three, albeit not a healthy one. As they say "needs must."
Shortly after arrival Evy's daughter Polly (Katherine Cusack), who lives with dad since the parents' separation, arrives and asks to move in. It's not a welcome request, but Evy decides to give it a try.
Lou (Matthew Clark), the final character, is on the tribe's fringe. He's Evy's former boyfriend, and a real piece of work,who Toby and Jimmy barely tolerate.
Mere weeks after Evy's return there's a relapse with no remorse and a really nasty encounter with Lou.
Simultaneously, her two friends' lives are falling apart, while Polly finds herself at a crossroad.
It's hard to like Evy, but Witman's performance is another whole other story. Witman masters the unlikeable woman, no softening, no sympathy, just bare, bold authenticity. It's a strong portrayal.
Risteen's Toby is a marvelous mix of sympathetic and cringeworthy. She's a woman that relies entirely on her looks, buys into the female role du jour, and losses herself to it. Risteen has the vapid 50s/60s woman down to a T. Terrific job.
Paul Moore's Jimmy is the likable guy; he's a bit fussy, nervous, displays real concern, and is definitely lost. Paul Moore's performance is never better than in the second act when he swings through numerous emotions and faces - and does so flawlessly.
The three performers nail their trio's relationship and really bring the heart of this show to life.
The light in all this is Cusack as Polly. Her role is a hope, and Cusack lets it breathe. It's a wonderful, realistic portrayal.
Clark as Lou, on the other hand, is darkness. There's nothing to like about Lou, but everything to like about Clark's stellar performance.
Director Matthew Parent has done a wonderful job bringing these quirky, difficult characters to life, really tooling their personalities. It's a smart job, with everything flowing beautifully - movement and timing.
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