Art of Leaving Off-Broadway Reviews

It’s rare for a play to get the attention it deserves nowadays, and I feel this is the case with “The Art of Leaving.” Some critics seem not to understand the larger-than-life style Anne Marilyn Lucas (playwright) explores in this piece, but those who recognize it know it is executed flawlessly by all creatives involved. From the moment Aaron walks on stage, I hated him, the mark of a good performer and good writing, and as the play drew on and he presented more redeeming characteristics, I was invested in his character arc yet I couldn’t find myself rooting for him. The older couple, Felix and Esther, had a lot of hilarious one-liners reminiscent of Neil Simon’s dialogue, and their relationship felt so real I could imagine people in my own life having identical conversations. As a young person, I found myself drawn to Caitlin and Jason the most, and their performances were grounded and thought provoking. The experience of trying to find yourself within a relationship you care deeply about is so relevant, and it has stayed with me days after watching the show. Every expression Caitlin had mirrored the exact face I was making in my seat, and even in moments when her or Jason would say something “too woke,” I was instantly brought to a time my friend or I had a similar view on the world. Life is not something you can wrap in a neat little bow, and “The Art of Leaving” captures that perfectly. And, of course, Diana was brilliant. She tied the entire play together with her journey of self discovery, and the ending was beyond satisfactory. If I lived in New York, I would be returning to this play at least once a week!