‘It’s just unfortunate that some people have already lived a lot of life before they meet other people.’
This introspective observance is one of several pearls of wisdom from Martyna Majok’s insightful and perceptive script focusing on four struggling individuals in two parallel and intersecting stories as SpeakEasy Stage presents Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Cost of Living live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, March 30. Sensitively directed by Alex Lonati, this thought provoking production contains strong language, adult themes, and runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Scenic director Janie E Howland’s muted colored set includes blocks of windows stacked in various sizes as shadows of individuals glow in pastel illumination by lighting designer Amanda E. Fallon. We are the observers of these two pairs of individuals and Fallon infuses subtle and colorful lighting on Howland’s muted colored set seemingly to illustrate not only the other tenants in the building, but the art of observing.
Cost of Living focuses on the journey of living itself including the kindnesses and the sufferings people can endure externally and internally. These four individuals have been through different degrees of hardship and find themselves having to depend upon one another for some relief as they each attempt to make a new start in life. With easygoing demeanor and insightful charm, Lewis D. Wheeler is mesmerizing as a recovering alcoholic and unemployed truck driver Eddie. Wheeler’s engaging opening and personable monologue pulls the audience into his consuming thoughts and complicated heartache. Tough talking yet with penetrating vulnerability, Stephanie Gould movingly depicts Eddie’s estranged wife Ani who suffers from a shattered spinal cord as a result of a devastating accident. Both lonely individuals in North Jersey, Gould’s dark wit with a dash of satirical humor as Ani blends intriguingly well with Eddie’s ease and their sporadically humorous banter and relatable conversations sharing their innermost thoughts, dreams, hopes, and fears reflect the nature of their longevity together. Their tense familiarity is apparent even in their physical interactions. As Anna Drummond’s adsorbing sound design delivers Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie in the background, this familiarity is exemplified in a rush of emotions as Eddie and Ani discuss the therapeutic power of music.
Gina Fonseca as candid yet secretive Princeton graduate and immigrant Jess struggles to make ends meet in Brooklyn, NY and is being considered to care for Sean Leviashvilli as steadfast, cautious, and wealthy graduate student John who has cerebral palsy. John needs someone who as he states ‘will keep me handsome’ such as shower and shave him daily. Jess is driven and insistent that she is the person for the job, but John is hesitant because he has had other caretakers who have not worked out. Fonseca as Jess and Leviashvilli as John share a chatty and awkward tension as they discover nuances about each other and at times strike up endearing camaraderie.
Martya Majok’s Cost of Living not only explores surviving financially, but the risk and agony of putting trust in another person. This show tackles some difficult and heartrending topics with a resonating message delivered with eloquence, humor and sincerity as unpredictable as life itself.
SpeakEasy Stage Company presents Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Cost of Living live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through March 30. Sensitively directed by Alex Lonati, this thought provoking production is 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.