Speaking From the Heart

The Language Archive

George is a devoted scientist in every sense of the word. His career is his entire life. As such, George is passionately involved with the recording, cataloging and documentation of every spoken language that has ever existed. He’s the head of an institution called The Language Archive. It’s a library of manuscripts and recordings of the spoken word that seeks to preserve every system of communication in history, particularly those that are dead or dying out. George is an expert in his field but, despite being so learned and fluent in most of the 6,900 languages of the world, it’s ironic that he finds it impossible to communicate when speaking from the heart.

Mary is his frustrated wife of several years. She is at a loss at how to communicate with George beyond the usual pleasantries and banal comments. Her life is bland and lacks color and excitement. Mary is mostly puzzled by her husbands inability to cry. “You mourn ideas, not people,” she accuses. George even remained dry-eyed upon the death of their dog and the passing of his dear, sweet grandmother. As Mary’s patience with George wears thin she’s begun leaving him little notes all over the house. George also notices that his wife has taken to inexplicably crying over every little thing. But when Mary announces that she’s going to leave him, George, despite being a master of languages, has nothing to say because his heart is incapable of expression.

George’s lovely and long-time assistant at the Archive is Emma. She’s been secretly in love with her boss ever since they first met, but she’s never let on. Far be it from Emma to come between a man and his wife, so she’s content to love him in silence. On this particular day George and Emma are welcoming Resten and Alta, an older couple from an unnamed country, who have agreed to being recorded speaking in Elloway, their dying native tongue. However, when the churlish couple arrives, they begin squabbling over who took the window seat on their flight to America. The altercation eventually digresses into a tirade about Alta’s awful cooking. But what’s even more perplexing and hilarious is that they’re arguing in English, which they explain is “the language of anger.” They tell George and Emma that their own tongue is far too beautiful for bickering because theirs is  “the language of the heart.” Alta and Resten leave the Language Archives without recording a single word and vowing never to speak to each other again.

Mary tries to find herself after leaving her marriage, although not quite sure where that might be. Emma attempts to learn a new language, in an attempt to impress and connect with her boss. George tries to teach the audience Esperanto and, although he knows how to conjugate and pronounce all the verb forms of the word “love,” he clearly doesn’t understand the concept. And Alta and Resten nearly lose each other, but eventually find a way to reconnect.

This brilliantly written, charming, comical cautionary tale about communication and the fragility of love was originally commissioned by New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company. It was written by the winner of the 2010 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Playwrighting, Julia Cho. Dana Anderson’s exceptionally eloquent and powerful production, peppered with lots of laughs, is a fitting finale as AstonRep’s last presentation. After 15 years of quality comedies and dramas, Ms. Anderson feels the themes of this particular play will “amplify and reflect the legacy of the company…the desire to express our truest selves.” This talented director further comments that this perceptive comedy is “about connecting with others on a level that goes beyond just words.” She couldn’t be more precise.

The entire cast is so impressive. Handsome Sean William Kelly portrays George, a brilliant, but oblivious scientist who can only connect to others through his head, but not his heart. This gifted actor, who strongly impressed as Arnold Strang in AstonRep’s production of “Equus,” has been seen on just about every stage in Chicago. Hopefully we’ll continue to enjoy more of his work in the near future. Beautiful Erin O’Brien, who plays Mary with so much heart and soul, has entranced audiences in many prior AstonRep productions, such as “God of Carnage,” “The Laramie Project” and “The Crowd You’re In With.” Again, we need to see more of this gifted young actress in the months to come, performing on other stages in Chicago.

As Emma, the talented, vivacious and attractive Aja Alcazar is sublime. We feel her desperation and frustrated feelings in her unrequited love for George, while trying to still be a competent worker and a devoted friend. Ms. Alcazar’s not only graced the stage at AstonRep, but has been enjoyed in productions at Steep, Kokandy, Porchlight Music Theatre, Victory Gardens, and many more. Genesis Sanchez, who brilliantly and humorously plays Alta, and also several other characters, recently made their professional debut in a production of “Richard III,” with Babes With Blades. Although new to the Chicago Theatre Scene, I’m sure we’ll soon be seeing a lot more of this accomplished young actor. And Jorge Salas returns to AstonRep after his exceptional performance last Fall in “Buried Child.” He brings so much passion and humor to the robust role of Resten, but Mr. Salas also portrays other supporting characters in this play with equal zeal.

It’s so refreshing to see a new comedy that has so much to say and does it so well. And AstonRep, a company we’re going to miss from now on, goes out on a strong note with Julia Cho’s lovely play about communication. Featuring a strong cast and guided by Dana Anderson, a skilled, perceptive and talented director, this finale to 15 years of excellence is a must-see.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas    

Presented April 28-May 28 by AstonRep Theatre Company at the Edge Off-Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-828-9129 or by going to www.astonrep.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.