BWW Reviews: Group rep Offers a Stimulating WALK IN THE WOODS

A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing is an intelligently conceived and tightly-drawn two character play, currently being revived in a spellbinding production @ Group rep in NoHo.

At first glance, this Walk is a heavily dramatic discussion between a savvy Russian diplomat Andrey (Larry Eisenberg) and a novice, yet sharp American negotiator John (Fox Carney), who meet in Switzerland to develop a treaty for nuclear disarmament. Seemingly Heavy Drama! However, as the piece progresses, during the course of their walk in the woods - to break the monotony of the indoor table talks - the beauty of the outdoors, the clean air, and the less stressful ambiance lead toward an unexpected alliance between the two men. A sort of friendship develops, as it were, that, as in life, plays out in gamelike fashion with a conflicting mix of ups and downs. No room for boredom here, as a fair amount of levity ensues.

John and Andrey are as different and complex as The Odd Couple's Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. John is obsessive-compulsive, a serious, nose-to-the-grindstone, less experienced, but optimistic guy whereas Andrey is much more loose and frivolous and definitely saturated with the work - which has left him cynical, with little hope for the future. In time the two grow more like each other; sadly, though, in a negative way, for nothing gets accomplished. As in life, there's a high probability that nothing ever will. Powerful governments equate power with arms, and so the tiny reductions that are made are never enough to bring a lasting peace. Along the way the lighter moments add much to the enjoyment of Walk as Andrey tries arduously to get John to lighten up the tiniest bit; the dialogue is fresh, humanly funny and thoroughly engaging.

Under Richard Woody's even and smooth direction, both Eisenberg and Carney are super. Eisenberg brings his character inward and completely enjoys himself. He wears the Russian skin as if it were his own. John Honeyman is the perfect fit for Carney. His outward appearance of a workaholic, corporate executive and his inner persistent, unyielding sense of never give up ideally serve the play.

This is a rivetingly topical evening of theatre, astutely written, acted and directed.

A Walk in the Woods
by Lee Blessing
directed by Richard Alan Woody
Group rep
through September 5/
in tandem with a second production
A String of Pearls

Walk plays Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 4 pm; Pearls plays Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm