Four Gripping Characters

Lobby Hero

Meet Jeff. He is a goofy, but really likable 27-year-old security guard/doorman who works the graveyard shift at a mid-income Manhattan apartment building. He left his Navy career under a cloud when he was caught smoking pot, and this latest failing disappointed Jeff’s father so much that the man stopped speaking to his son. Then his dad died and Jeff’s still carrying the guilt with him in everything he does. Struggling to pay off some debts, Jeff shares a small flat with his brother. However, he dreams of having his own place where he can cook and entertain. He also fantasizes about having a girlfriend, although the eccentric young man, whose mouth runs nonstop, has a hard time maintaining personal relationships of any kind.

Then there’s William, Jeff’s highly-disciplined African-American boss. He’s excellent in his chosen profession and pops in every night to check up on Jeff to make sure he’s doing his job. But William’s personal life has been in turmoil since his younger brother was arrested, accused of committing a heinous crime while part of a gang stealing drugs from a hospital. Feeling that he has no one with whom to share this burden, William reluctantly unloads on Jeff. But William has no idea how big a mistake this will prove to become as events become complicated and spiral out of control over the following nights.

Along comes Dawn, a young rookie policewoman who works with Bill, her tough, macho partner and supervisor. Bill’s married, but shows both a professional and a romantic interest in his young, female coworker. Teaching Dawn the fine points of being a New York cop, Bill reveals himself to be something other than a paragon of virtue. To complicate the situation, Dawn was recently involved in an altercation, and the physical force she had to employ with a perpetrator got out of hand. The thug, who actually became the aggressor during the melee, ended up in the hospital. Now a lawsuit has been threatened that may end Dawn’s career in law enforcement. And, to make matters worse, Dawn and Bill have become sexually involved, but she learns that she isn’t the only woman having relations with the tough cop.

Playwright Kenneth Lonergan (THIS IS OUR YOUTH, THE WAVERLY GALLERY) is known for his character-driven plays.  Like his other scripts, LOBBY HERO is a dark, often comic drama that revolves around how good intensions can be undermined by unconscious desires. The characters in this four-hander are all misguided by their deep down destructive urges. Staged and guided by accomplished Director Nate Santana, he returns to Shattered Globe after his excellent production of MARVIN’S ROOM. Mr. Santana’s recent productions of IRONBOUND, at Raven Theatre, and THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, at Steppenwolf, demonstrate this artist’s talent and versatility. Staged upon Jose Manuel Diaz-Soto’s exceptionally fine Set, the audience will immediately forget they’re watching four gifted actors and lose themselves in the problems and machinations of these believably realistic characters.

The cast is uniformly excellent. As Jeff, Chicago newcomer Elliot Esquivel appears at Shattered Globe for the first time in this leading role. He portrays a quirky character who, at times, seems like he’s made out of rubber. The tall, lanky young actor moves with the grace of a dancer or possibly a contortionist. But it’s this youthful actor’s face and body language that often fill in the blanks between what his character is saying and what he’s thinking. Recently appearing in Kokandy’s ALICE BY HEART, I look forward to seeing this incredibly talented, wonderfully physical actor in many more productions.

Terence Sims is absolutely fantastic as William. Terence is making his Shattered Globe debut but is remembered for his performances at Writers Theatre in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, as well as in TONI STONE at the Goodman and CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY at Raven. Eloquent and direct, Mr. Sims employs an economy of movement and emotion that forces the audience to focus on what he’s saying…as well as what he’s not saying. We know that William is conflicted about something, and when he shares his problem with Jeff, we’re happy to see the relief in getting this off his chest. But at the same time, because we know that Jeff can’t control his mouth, we worry that William’s trusted confidence may prove to be ill-spent.

Terrific Adam Schulmerich has been seen in a multitude of productions all over Chicago. He’s a talented Shattered Globe ensemble member, recently appearing in BECKY NURSE OF SALEM, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and FIVE MILE LAKE. Known for his strength in portraying blue collar authority figures, Adam plays Bill as an immovable mountain. Here, his character understands and acknowledges his frailties but offers no apologies for them. In some ways Bill’s just a cad and telling lies is part of how he operates. The strength we see emanating from Bill belies his immorality, and Mr. Schulmerich is superb and powerful playing this kind of character.

As Dawn, the 20-something newcomer to the NYPD, gifted Equity actress, Emma Jo Boyden, makes her auspicious Shattered Globe debut. Seen recently in Court Theatre’s ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, as well as in HENRY V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Drury Lane, plus countless other productions around Chicagoland, Ms. Boyden is magnificent in Lonergan’s drama. As the only woman in this story, she wins the audience’s empathy as a warrior and a survivor of a chauvinistic world of men. In particular, we enjoy watching Dawn eventually warm up to Jeff, knowing this could be the beginning of a fine friendship. We also fear for her safety and wellbeing as she tries to maneuver her way through a difficult, conflicted relationship with Bill and a compromised career as a minority on the police force.

Shattered Globe, one of Chicago’s most accomplished storefront theaters, has produced so many excellent productions during its past seasons. They have another hit on their hands with this production of Ken Lonergan’s spellbinding play. Kudos go once again to Dialect Coach Sammi Grant for her polished work with this cast. Do not miss this production because it’s an incredible, almost out-of-body experience sharing the night with these four gripping characters.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 24-March 1 by Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 773-975-8150 or by going to www.theaterwit.org.

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