In Tales of the Lost Formicans, Constance Congdon's satirical critique of 1980s suburbia, a cadre of friendly aliens -- amusingly outfitted with almond-shaped sunglasses -- is replaying scenes from American suburbia to puzzle out the complexities of the family unit. It's a sad fact that the play seems just as fitting nearly 20 years after its first production: The mall still reigns supreme, adolescent angst hasn't evolved, and petty squabbles continue to consume countless hours of family time.
After her divorce, Cathy (Rebecca Challis) returns to her childhood home in Colorado with her disgruntled son Eric (Nico Phillips). But her own problems take a back seat to her mother's (Celia Bressack) when it becomes obvious that Cathy's father (Brian J. Coffey) is rapidly aging. The play clocks in at over two hours and, due to some of director Brett Maughan's unfortunate choices, feels interminably long for something that's not breaking any new ground.
Nicu's Spoon's current season is dedicated to exploring issues of disability and working with disabled artists; with Formicans, the company tackles the subject of Alzheimer's disease and has in the cast an actor with cerebral palsy (Phillips). However, the production suffers from its own handicaps that could be readily solved: slow pacing, awkward blocking, and a weighty set piece -- functioning as a bed, a bar, and other various locales -- that must be dragged and flipped and slid by the cast and crew.
Two actors in smaller roles overcome the directorial limitations to shine. Lindsay Goranson plays Cathy's hometown friend Judy with a vitality and humor that exceed the flatly written part and earn the few laughs the play so dearly needs. Likewise, Michael Hartney as crackpot neighbor Jerry humanizes his role as a conspiracy-theorizing nurse on the brink of suicide. He may not be a "typical" human, but he's the best thing going in this production -- tinfoil hat and all.
Presented by Nicu's Spoon
at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 W. 54th St., 12th floor, NYC.
March 28-April 15; Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. (Sun., April 8 performance will offer American Sign Language interpreters.)
(212) 868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.