“Brooklyn Laundry,” playing at New York City Center (W. 55th Street) is a funny, heartfelt play that is the work of playwright and director John Patrick Shanley. It is presented by the Manhattan Theatre Club and is a production not to be missed.
This play tells the at first very amusing and then interesting story of a couple who meet when a customer, Fran, takes her clothes to the laundry and deals with the owner Owen. Their conversations start off awkward and funny, but then go on to be so much more.
Both characters have serious personal issues that are made very clear to the audience. This play deals with trying to find new love, fighting loneliness, and facing the upcoming death of an older sister and realizing what that will mean in your life. It deals with our life courses and the way that we sometimes don’t have a choice except to do the right thing. But what could that cost us?
The journey of this production is beautiful to witness and one I highly recommend you embark on.
The cast consists of four captivating thespians. David Zayas plays Owen with a love, innocence, and vulnerability that is immediately engaging. He is absolutely charming in the role. Cecily Strong is funny and defensive, but also vulnerable and frightened in the role of Fran. She displays an insecurity that makes the audience want her to go after more in life. Florencia Lozano is moving and brilliant in the role of Trish, the oldest sister, who knows her days are very numbered. Her character realizes the importance of living life to its fullest and repeatedly tries to persuade Fran to do so with her life. Andrea Syglowki is devastatingly poignant as Susie, Fran’s older sister, who realizes that she is in a loveless marriage and has a disabled son, and has one more secret to share. You have to go to see the play to find out what it is.
These characters and the issues they face are real slices of life that many of us have faced, or know someone who has faced them. The play is a case in which art truly reflects life, in a way that makes you think and feel strong conviction about the choices we all make—the choices we make with family in mind and those we make for our own happiness.
“Brooklyn Laundry” is one of the best plays of this season so far. The production, which only runs through April 14, features a set design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Suzy Benzinger, lovely lighting design by Brian McDevitt, and original music and sound design by John Gromada.
For tickets and more info, visit www.Manhattantheatreclub.com.
