Off-Broadway Review: The Light Years

Rocco Sisto, Aya Cash & Erik Lochtefeld. Photo: Joan Marcus

The Light Years

By Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen

Developed and Directed by Oliver Butler

Presented by The Debate Society

and Playwrights Horizons

Through April 2

By Lauren Yarger

What's It All About?
It's 1893 and 1933 all at the same time, in this world premiere of the new play written by The Debate Society Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Bos (The Open House) and Paul Thureen (Blood Play). Circumstances around the World's Fair in Chicago merge with family struggles 40 years later, both linked by the light of a star.

In 1893, Hillary (Erik Lochtefeld) works on the piece de resistance for fair,  the 12,000 seat "Spectatorum" theater, the vision of Steele MacKaye (Rocco Sisto). It's a moon that, with the help of assistant Hong Sling (Brian Lee Huynh) will make an electrifying entrance for the crowd -- if they don't electrocute themselves in the effort.

Hillary's wife, Adeline (Ava Cash) is an enthusiastic supporter of the project until tragedy occurs. Some 40 years later, another family lives in the same house and the wife, Ruth (also Cash), bears a striking resemblance to Adeline. Her husband, Lou (Ken Barnett), is having a hard time supporting his wife and son, Charie (Graydon Peter Yosowitz) as a jingle writer and Ruth find work at the fairgrounds in a pancake shop. Sling and Hillary show factor in with a surprise for Ruth.

What Are the Highlights?

Cash, who is known as Gretchen on the FX series “You’re the Worst,” is excellent as both female protagonists. The action is not linear with action from both time periods intermingling. She makes some quick costume changes and effectively portrays two separate, yet linked characters. 

Oliver Butler's direction is tight and focuses, giving the two time periods distinction while avoiding confusion. Lighting by Russell  H. Champa provides lighting which helps convey the mystical feel of the piece as well as providing direct routes of light from the star that links the action to earth on the front of the proscenium.

The play gets point just for being different. This is not your typical story or presentation (a trademark of shows presented at Playwrights Horizons). An amazing amount of storytelling occurs in one hours and 45 minutes with no intermission. I really enjoyed the adventure of traveling through time and thinking through the mind of an inventor.

What Are the Lowlights?

The play can be a bit scattered and struggles to find its ending.

More Information:

The Light Years plays at Playwrights Horizons, 416 West 42nd St., NYC through April 2. playwrightshorizons.org 

Additional credits:

Scenic Design by Laura Jellinek, Costume Design by Michael Krass, Sound Design by Lee Kinney, Original Music by Daniel Kluger, Wigs by Paul Huntley.