Let Me Down Easy

"Please," we think, "don't do these people." Anna Deavere Smith doesn't. She is these people. Having interviewed and recorded hundreds of individuals, the writer-performer distilled their words, verbatim, into her latest solo show, directed by Leonard Foglia. And though each person has been involved with U.S. health care, whether from the inside or the outside, Smith's masterpiece is so much broader than that. It's not overtly political. It doesn't preach. Instead it compels, makes us consider how valuable our time on Earth is, opens our hearts.

Among the well-known personages Smith quotes and embodies, Lance Armstrong speaks of teamwork in fighting his cancer, while snacking and snuggling into the corner of a squashy sofa (Riccardo Hernandez's wonderfully inviting yet neutral scenic design of all-white furniture on a wooden floor, backed by dusky mirrors). Eve Ensler foments the topic of skinny girls forced into starvation by capitalism. Boxer Michael Bentt sags onto a tiny stool, hunches over, and speaks of things that cannot be fought against. A scrappy Ruth Katz recounts the inept care given her while she was associate dean of the very hospital that misplaced her medical records. A shining former Texas Gov. Ann Richards gives us a pep talk about attitude. And, yes, there are times when we swear we're seeing these people and not Smith on the stage.

She does accents, but they don't necessarily match those of the real-life people. She softens her voice, then hardens it, then yells or chats quickly, giving us an immediate hint of the personalities. Wearing a shirt and pinstripe slacks as her basic costume, Smith adds jackets, eyeglasses, a tie, or a skirt to give hints of her characters (costuming by Ann Hould-Ward). Smith remains barefoot throughout, however, a mysterious choice that makes us think of gender neutrality and earthiness and death. But the essence of the words Smith culls and processes for us reveals the crux of who these Americans are and how they felt in the shadows of mortality.

Among her "characters" unknown to most of us are physicians and patients, burly men and fragile aged aunts. Each has a forceful story to tell, re-created by Smith with respect and fondness. This intimate evening of universal tales is transportive and inspiring, funny and wistful, memorably created by a performer of immense skill and heart.

Presented by and at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. July 22–31. Variable schedule. www.thebroadstage.com.