Photo Source: Megan J. Carroll
We first meet Mel (an amazing Amanda Saunders) and Ted (Paul Caramagno) during a truncated phone call from the hospital. Mel attempts to explain the unimaginable to her traveling husband: No, there were no mentions of "hope" or "miracles" about their son Sam, who won't recover from a near drowning. Then we are immediately dropped into Mel's agitated home life of grasping bedclothes and attempting to reach Ted at airports or hotels and trying to make sense of her younger daughter's unrelenting questions and very presence. (Alana Dietze is remarkable as the quirky, quizzical Lanie.)
Meanwhile, an empty Ted wanders from place to place (design elements and Melissa Ficociello's dreamlike curtained set work beautifully here), grappling with his own deficiencies and his wife's demands. Oh, and after a few too many at a hotel bar, he fulfills Mel's prophesies of infidelity. (Andrea Grano gives a powerhouse performance as the hilarious and heart-wrenching Lenora.)
Director Rory Kozoll skillfully moves the action (and inaction) along and brings out every bit of dark (and light) humor in this sometimes-challenging material. It helps that he's cast such strong performers. Tara Karsian delivers as a downbeat Tooth Fairy, and Jeremy Shranko is delightful as both G.I. Joe and the persuasive flight attendant. Troy Blendell is also swell, playing Ted's chance drinking buddy.
But while Schwartz's slippery language is wonderful in the way it draws us into the play's liquid journey and throws a charming spotlight on the struggles within every relationship, it gets too caught up in its own riffs, repetitions, and musicality. So, unfortunately, we have a hard time not being pulled under by the weight of the words, and it's a bit difficult to steer through it all to the emotionally rewarding end.
Presented by the Echo Theatre Company at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., L.A. Jan. 14–Feb. 19. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m. (877) 369-9112 or www.echotheatercompany.com.
