It may be a coincidence, that one of my grandsons is a facilitator for patients about to receive some body part transplant or another. Although he has nothing to do with the actual transplant, he talks to the family about the decisions they may or may not have to make.
Another coincidence is that he works at UCSD, the setting of our play, “The Heart”, based on a 2013 the medical fiction “Reparer les Vivants” written by Maylis de Kerangal, with book and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and musical lyrics by Anne and Ian Eisendrath.
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| Jason Tam and Zachary Noah Piser |
The play chronicles the accidental death of a 19 year old surfer, Simon Lamar (a shining star Zachary Noah Piser), who after a morning of surfing at one of our local beaches, was on his way home with two of his buddies when the van they were driving crashed into a tree. Both boys were wearing seat belts, but not Simon who was sitting in the middle. By the time they got Simon to the hospital emergency room, he is pronounced brain dead, but his heart is still beating.
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| Scene from The Heart (Wren Rivera center) |
Life and death decisions will have to be made in the time it will take for the parents, Marianne and Sean (soberingly played by *Kenita Miller and Jason Tam) to decide whether or not to ‘harvest’ his organs; if there is a compatible, and healthy recipient. Thomas (Lincoln Clauss “Quicksand”) is the coordinator, who tries to make them understand what’s at play.
There are no less than 9 characters playing multiple roles introduced, in part at times that when all is said and done, form complete characters. Heidi Blickenstaff ( A star in her own right and beautifully in control) is both head nurse in the OR and Clair (“Nobody Gets Out Alive”) the recipient of Simon’s heart, defines the gray line between life and death. The dichotomy of it all: being dead and alive at the same time. It’s mind-boggling, one yours truly never thought about before.
All this happens under the expert direction of Artistic Director Christopher Ashley and precise Choreography under Mandy Moore. It felt to me that the action of the play was rolling along at a faster than fast pace while the characters seemed to be moving in slow motion.
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| Scene from The Heart |
Every step is choreographed precisely, detailed, down to a science on Robert Brill’s neon lit and flashy stage.
Gareth Owens sound design is surrealistic when Simon’s parents want him to hear the sound of the sea when his heart is removed.
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| Scene from The Heart |
Video Designer Lucy Mackinnon’s graphics show medical records and an organ bank database. There are three screens set up on the long stage of the Potiker Theatre so everyone in the audience has the ability to see.
The Eisendraths' 16 song score with musical conductor Wendy Bobbitt Cavett, who keeps to a beat, the times of a beating heart.
The La Jolla Playhouse and staff deserve a big BRAVO for bringing this innovative piece to the fore.
Tissues recommended.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through Sept. 28. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays
Photo: (Rich Soublet II)
Where: La Jolla Playhouse’s Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla
Tickets: $30-$119
Phone: 858-550-1010
Online: lajollaplayhouse.org
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