Review: LOBBY HERO is Well-Acted Despite Script's Setbacks at 1st Stage Theatre

What would you do if someone close to you committed a crime of an unspeakable nature? What would you do if someone you looked up to was doing something that you believed was unprofessional? This is a "hypothetical," of course. Our beliefs and how they guide our moral compasses are the center of Lobby Hero written by Kenneth Lonergan. In 1st Stage Theatre's production directed by Alex Levy, Jeff (Aaron Bliden), a late 20-something security guard for a posh high-rise in present day Manhattan, becomes involved indirectly in a criminal investigation after his boss, William (Justin Weaks), confides in him a secret. Meanwhile, Dawn (Laura Artesi), a rookie police officer, must deal with the reality that her partner, Bill (Matthew Sparacino), who is a veteran police officer, isn't quite the big shot hero she thought that he was. 1st Stage Theatre's production of Lobby Hero features a solid, talented small cast who does their best with the out-dated script written by Kenneth Lonergan.

Lobby Hero is a supposedly a dramedy, but the way Lonergan writes does not come off as humorous. The potential for humor is smothered by shouting and cursing matches between characters. The cast's strong acting makes up for Lonergan's less than humorous script. Bliden's rambling and quirky Jeff paired with Weaks' stern William makes for an interesting boss and employee dynamic. Sparacino brings out an intensity in Bill that is raw and complex particularly in a scene in which Bill is explaining to Dawn about his relationships with other women. Artesi's Dawn shines in scenes in which she is paired with Bliden and Sparacino. Unfortunately, Lonergan's script doesn't provide opportunity for Dawn, as well as off-stage female characters, to be more than just sexualized objects for the sake of of the male characters' development. The female voice is minimized in Lonergan's script and it isn't until the second act that Dawn brings to receive more lines as she is catapulted into the role of the sleuth. The emotionally intense second act brings out vulnerability and insecurities that weren't all that apparent in the first act. The tension between Weaks, Sparacino, Bliden, and Artesi is magnified to the point in which one is sitting at the edge of his or her seat waiting for the explosive conclusion of the entanglement of lies.

Lonergan's script depicts a New York City from the 1980's or 1990's. 1st Stage Theatre's production of Lobby Hero is set in the present day; however, the New York City depicted remains stuck in the past in minor details, such as the mention of a character's father serving in the Korean War, Jeff referring to newspaper to look for apartments, and the lack of presence of modern technology. Creative tweaks to lines and addition of more modern props could bring this play to the modern New York City that we know today. The stationary lobby set, designed by Kathryn Kawecki, and the costumes, also by Kawecki, remain timeless, which works to the production's advantage. The set screams New York City with its art deco accents, as well as the walls and floors that are skillfully painted to look like marble. The costumes, including the police uniforms and Dawn's civilian clothes, are fit for a modern New York City.

1st Stage Theatre's Lobby Hero is emotionally intense and dramatic production to bear witness to despite the limitations of Lonergan's script.

1st Stage Theatre's production of Lobby Hero runs until October 9, 2016. The production is about 2 hours with one intermission. Tickets can be purchased online.

Photo caption and credit: (l to r) Justin Weaks and Aaron Bliden in Lobby Hero at 1st Stage. The show runs through October 9, 2016 in Tysons Corner. Photo by Teresa Castracane.