When their grief counselor, Beth, fails to show up for their group therapy session, the majority of her six clients vote to go on without her. The revelation of their interaction is not in the manifestation of their grief. Theirs is the expected cocktail of misplaced guilt, regret for things both said and unsaid, and the pain caused by the absence of “their person.” Rather, the eye-opening moments of Someone Spectacular stem from each participant’s attempt to move the meeting — and the others in attendance— forward. Do you keep your feelings to yourself? Do you breathe, sleep or eat your way through? Do you force yourself to take an obvious next step? Can anyone just snap you out of it?
Playwright Doménica Feraud has dedicated this warm play to her mother, Nathalie Feraud-Salame, who had nurtured her through a crippling eating disorder. It is Feraud-Salame’s whose passions and heart run through each of the characters. Doménica’s deep understanding of Nathalie’s way of being has enabled her to use knowing shorthand to tell us much about each character in just 90 minutes. Feraud’s genuine affection for each of her creations shines through even when she has to rely on a few tropes to find essential connections and get to her point.
The confident ensemble brings out the best in the material. Delia Cunningham’s delicate Jude attracts attention even before the official start of the piece, dashing off stage as the audience is still finding their seats. A moody Lily played by Ana Cruz Kayne makes herself known with a bang of her bag, a thump of her tiny rump, and a conspicuous costume adjustment. Next to catch our eyes and ears is Shakur Tolliver’s Julian, drumming on the back of his chair with a discomfort that has taken over every aspect of his life. Dressed for business even on a Sunday afternoon, Damian Young’s Thom seems more invested in taking phone calls than in staying present. It is Alison Cimmet’s crisp and impatient Nelle who pushes for action. And Gamze Ceylan elegant and vulnerable Evelyn who brings the most skilled therapeutic elements to their time together. Though Beth hasn’t arrived, her essence takes shape through their interpretation of her techniques and motivations.
With the exception of Thom, Director Tatiana Pandiani moves the restless mourners around the traditional talking circle of chairs. Scenic design team dots provides them with plenty to work with from the children’s toys in the corner, the dying plant upstage, an unexplained helium balloon hugging the ceiling, and the sparse coffee set-up stage left. This gives each audience section an opportunity to experience everyone as they literally jockey for their rightful place.
Writing this play may have been cathartic for Feraud and it certainly is for the audience. The more serious conversations are interspersed with understandable snark and amusing insight. I saw friends and couples touching hands and heads in connection. A young woman got as far as an exit door only to return to her seat and watch the remainder of the piece clutching her purse. The majority laughed and nodded in recognition. There are plenty of moments for all present to breathe.
Grief is obviously not a problem that has a solution. But Doménica Feraud has turned a discussion about this tough experience into an engaging and touching theatrical work. The world premiere of Someone Spectacular has been extended at the Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, through September 7. (Note that it is not a Signature Theater production, but the first creation of B3-A12, a partnership which was founded in honor of Nathalie Feraud-Salame.) The action starts promptly on the hour and there is no intermission. Tickets range from $39 to $119. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://someonespectacularplay.com/.
The Unforgettable Line 