To find yourself, think for yourself…Socrates
Because Me is the story of nine months in the life of 29-year-old Else as she tackles being out in the world on her own. Alice Johnson does an excellent job in the challenging role of Else. She creates a very real person, running the emotional gamut from excitement and optimism to summing her life up as “nothing works out for me—ever.”
Max Baker, who wrote and directed the work, has a remarkable talent for writing believable dialogue. All of the characters in Else’s life are clearly individuals, each with his or her own voice. All the actors fully utilize and develop what they have been given in the writing.
Roman (Arthur Kriklivy), Else’s co-worker, proudly announces that he has accelerated thinking with the capacity to think seven times faster than the normal person. He is given to lengthy tirades on the world and its pathetic inhabitants.
Celia (Samantha Strelitz), the sister who, despite being in what appears to be a rocky marriage, does her best to support and help her sister. (It does take us a while to discern who she is in the context of things. She’s far too young to be Else’s mother and too much of an authority figure to be one of Else’s friends.)
Mimi (Eve Marie Mugar) remains consistently positive and somewhat New Age. She highly recommends affirmations like “I am accepting all good things with love and gratitude.” She seems to be the friend Else values most.
Kyle (Emmanuel Elpenord), the black neighbor who has not left the building in three years. He is often aggressive and demanding and Else not only doesn’t trust him, she often finds him frightening.
Liv (Lisa Jill Anderson), a friend of Roman, seems to be the worker bee among of the group. We see her endlessly carrying things in and out of the apartment. She is also the most opinionated and outspoken.
Deena (Ricki Lynee), the elegant and charming black woman who suddenly appears unannounced to visit her grandmother’s prior apartment.
The story is told in individual vignettes separated by blackouts. This is a viable technique, the success of which depends to a large extent on a strong and consistent through-line. It also requires very short blackouts for scene changes.
For the most part the production moves along smoothly. The only exception being some non-sequiturs thrown in which tend to distract from the story line. One example being an entire vignette devoted to Else dealing with some unidentified wound on her leg. We have no idea what it is or how she got it. It is not mentioned or explained until one line near the end when Celia asks her sister “Are you still cutting yourself?”
The music score, though primarily somewhat dirge-like, is beautifully written and orchestrated (especially the cello part) by Lee Sellars. He is obviously a very talented musician and we wish we could also have heard a bit more upbeat background music.
It is apparent that this is an ensemble work, ably supported by all involved, including the Party Goers and Halloween Man (Reuben Barsky/Will Hand/Ian Poake).
Lighting Designer Katy Atwell, Sound Designer Andy Evan Cohen and Scenic Designer Doss Freel contribute their expertise as well.
Because Me
Presented by Stable Cable Lab Co.
At Wild Project
195 East 3rd Street (between Avenues A and B)
The very limited run continues: Thursday and Friday November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Katy Atwell
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