Theater Online - New York Theater Reviews

Let it not be said that "Never Tell," being presented by Brokenwatch Theater Company at the intimately congenial Michael Weller Theater, is not an ambitious undertaking. The scenic (J. Wiese) and tech design (Dusty Ray's lighting; Jito Lee's video elements) do a magical job of creating numerous interior scenes by utilizing white walls with frames, a few tables and chairs, very specific illumination and a column of TV monitors. Under the direction of Drew DeCorleto the eight cast members embrace their characters with appropriate passion, conflict and resolve. Playwright James Christy seems to be dealing with themes as varied as technology, love, the art world, friendship, greed, sensationalism and more.

Early on we learn about certain aspects of the major players. An insecure Manny (Jason Schuchman) is a computer guy who is on the verge of creating a breakthrough program that, in effect, would predict human behavior. His co-worker Hoover (Mark Setlock) should be appealing but conveys "not to be trusted." Will (Matthew Wilkas) runs an art gallery and is pragmatic in giving his audience what he thinks they want (a segment of a violent video“) against the objections of his wife Ann (Theresa Goding), who is also a friend of Liz (Eva Kaminsky) with a history of depression and erratic conduct. In the course of the play, we learn more about these characters through their soliloquies (as teens) describing their early sexual experiences.

At one point I felt that what was developing was a series of interesting vignettes in search of a plot, but the playwright does have all of the these characters become interrelated in developing several plot lines, a number of which seem to create questions of credibility for me. Along the way-for the purpose of thematic relevance, I presume-the audience learns tales of child molestation, suicide, corporate sleaziness, duplicity, odd sexual behavior, theft of intellectual property, child rape, mendacity, infidelity, and mental instability.

I also found the abundant use of sexual revelations and perversities to be sensationalistic, an ironic contrast to what would seem to be Christy's thematic intention. Another problem I have with the play is that I did not become engaged emotionally, or even intellectually, with any of characters or their travails in their sorry, little universe. In fact, the hot, humid air of 8th Avenue with its hustle and bustle of humanity provided a breath of fresh air later in the evening..