Review: NCTC's THE BIG MEAL is a Feast of Emotions and Brilliant Performances

Either I'm getting soft in my old age or everyone has decided to bring out their big guns (theatrically) at the end of the year as this is the third show in two weeks that has absolutely floored me. New Century Theatre Company's "The Big Meal" takes what can be a simple romantic comedy/family drama and turns it into a sumptuous journey served up by some of the most gifted actors in town. And on a personal note, they managed to turn me into a weeping snot monster which hasn't been done at this level since another NCTC show, "Mary's Wedding".

Dan LeFranc's powerful play begins simply enough with a chance meeting followed by the first date of two young people, Sam and Nicole. What follows is not simple as eight amazing actors (Darragh Kennan, Máire Kennan, Todd Jefferson Moore, Hannah Mootz, Julian Mudge-Burns, Conner Neddersen, Betsy Schwartz, and Amy Thone) portray five generations of this family spanning 50 years. We peek into the big moments of this family as they jump from one time period to the next and the actors jump from one character to the next taking on the different ages of the group with poetic grace and laser focus clarity.

They beautifully present a kind of every-family as there's something in there that most everyone can relate to whether it be family dynamics or circumstance or loss (hence the need for the tissues). Director Makaela Pollock has taken on this daunting script with gusto that's basically the pacing equivalent of a bullet train filled with monkeys and fine china. Once it's going you need to keep those plates in the air and those monkeys in check or it'll all come crashing down around you and there's no time to stop and regroup. And she manages it perfectly as there was never a moment of "wait, what just happened?" or "who is this character now?" to be had. That's not to say there's never a time to feel in the piece as there are several long moments of silence or little coherent dialog where they manage to convey volumes of the story through stunningly gorgeous stage business and each one quite individual from the one that came before.

But these bits of business would be nothing without a stellar ensemble cast and each one manages their roles wonderfully. Máire Kennan and Julian Mudge-Burns take on the characters as children with the skill of seasoned adult actors keeping each character crystal clear. Hannah Mootz and Conner Neddersen tackle the young adult versions with amazing heart and expertise and I especially have to give kudos to Neddersen for taking on a hilarious series of five boyfriends in the span of about two minutes. Darragh Kennan and Betsy Schwartz give us the mid-aged characters never once losing the qualities those characters had in previous incarnations. And I must call out Schwartz for one of the most honest and heartbreaking performances for one of her character's final moments. Todd Jefferson Moore and Amy Thone too manage the older versions keeping all that came before with the characters intact and give some stunningly powerful performances of people in their declining years. And Thone's final moment of the piece is a thing of beauty. Finally I must call out Jonelle Jordan who never speaks a word in the play but still manages to convey some fantastic emotional elements with a simple look.

If you can manage to sit through this marvelous piece and not be affected then I worry for the state of your soul. And beyond its emotional impact you'll see some of the best performances all year. This is why with my three letter rating system I'm inclined to give out my highest rating, a heartfelt WOW. As I said, the third in two weeks but they've all just been that good in their own ways. This is a piece that you do not want to miss but that could be said for most NCTC shows. And again, bring the tissues unless you don't mind being turned into a snot monster.

"The Big Meal" from New Century Theatre Company performs at 12th Avenue Arts through November 19th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.wearenctc.org.

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