Quick Hit Theater Review: Heathens

Malcolm Madera and Lisa Roberts Gillan. Photo: Carol Rosegg

Heathens

By Heather Hill

Directed by Stefanie Sertich

Theater for the New City 

Summary:

Lulu-Lilly (Lisa Gillan) brings home Sisyphus (Malcolm Madera), a guy she picked up at the watering hole near her small rural home in eastern Kentucky. There’s just one problem: Lulu-Lilly’s grandmother, Mamaw, is dead at the kitchen table. She has been there all day and Sis, sidetracked from his amorous intentions, offers to help bury her. That's OK with Lulu-Lilly, as long as he doesn't insst on calling the preacher. Marmaw, Lulu and her sister Junebug (Lauren Fox) all are heathens. God, and any mention of the girls' mother who abandoned them as a child, are not welcome in the house. Oh, and by the way, wouldn't Sis like to marry her, Lulu asks. (We're pretty sure Lulu is aptly named by this point, by why Sis decides to stay is only explained by the need for him to do so to give the play a plot,) When Junebug arrives, she isn't happy to find her grandmother dead or Sis installed as her sister's beau. She begins an affair with him all while trying to figure out how to get her sister to throw him out. Meanwhile, the new preacher, Jebdiah (Andy Powers) arrives, pulled by his old attraction to Junebug and his new religious calling, passed to him on the death of his father. Oh, and in an attempt to develop characters, Sis is an empath, Junebug is a healer and Lulu wants a singing career.

Highlights:

Gillan gives a fine performance as the very strange Lulu-Lilly. There are some laughs, but I can't be sure they are intentional. My favorite part is where Lulu mentions a history of madness in the family and Junebug shushes her, reminding her sister that this is supposed to be a secret. Newsflash: it's not a secret, ladies. 

Edward Ross's dark and shabby set effectively captures the mood of the play.

Lowlights:

It's kind of a bizarre play and very dark. It leaves us wondering why the work was written. A story about family values -- at least not any that you would want your family to have -- it really is not, because this bunch is just too odd with which to connect. 

Information:

Heathens runs through March 17 at Theatre for a New City, 155 First Avenue, between East 9th and East 10th streets. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 with matinees Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased by calling 212-254-1109 or online at www.theaterforthenewcity.net.

Christians might also like to know:

-- Sexual activity

-- God's name taken in vain