Review by Rich See, dcmdva-arts.org reviewer

A Hero For Our Times

 How honest does one need to be in life?  Is lying to your boss about sleeping on the job the same as lying to protect a relative who might have committed murder?  To be true to one’s convictions, must one be inflexible?  Are there times when beliefs, loyalties, and  ethics collide?  These are the issues explored in Kenneth Lonergan’s play Lobby Hero now in repertory at Studio Theatre. 

Pictured: (Left to right) JASON SCHUCHMAN as Jeff and CLARK JACKSON as William in "Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan at the Studio Theatre, May 15 - June 23, 2002. Directed by J.R. Sullivan.

Lonergan, who also wrote This Is Our Youth, the second play in Studio’s repertory, enjoys exploring ordinary people’s reactions in overwhelming situations.  His plays tend to be slice-of-life dramas that end without clearly defined conclusions.

 Lobby Hero is about Jeff, a night security guard for a Manhattan apartment building, who is pulled directly into three peoples lives and indirectly into five other peoples' lives.  Their issues and how he fits into their situations cause him to begin to question his own views of personal responsibility and loyalty.  

Jeff’s an accidental, imperfect hero pushed into courage by the weaknesses of the rest of the play’s characters.

 Although shaky at points and far too long, Studio’s production has several good qualities.  The greatest is Jason Schuchman as Jeff, who truly is the anchor of the production.  His characterization is compelling and pulls the audience into the dialogue driven plot.  Schuchman’s Jeff is a sensitive, yet immature man, slowly budding into manhood.  Because Jeff is in almost every scene, without a compelling actor in the role, the production could quickly become bogged down and tedious.  Mr. Schuchman keeps this from happening.

Daniel Conway’s set is a wonderful ode to 1960’s New York chic.  His lobby looks like Doris Day is about to come walking through the front door or out of the elevator at any moment.  The working elevator, misted glass wall, and rain falling outside the apartment building’s front doors are inspired touches.

Neil McFadden’s sound is also a terrific addition to the production.  His light, jazzy choices go hand in hand with the every day life theme of the production.  Since Lonergan doesn’t dwell too deeply in the dark aspects of his characters, the musical choices for the production need to reflect the every day elements the playwright is attempting to convey.  His choices also go seamlessly with Conway’s set.

Lobby Hero, directed by J. R. Sullivan, runs through June 23rd and is in repertory with This Is Our Youth.  The cast also includes Clark Jackson, Daniel Cantor, and Tina Frantz.