Bubba Weiler is making his professional playwriting debut with “Well, I’ll Let You Go,” and believe me: When you see this play, you will not let it go from your heart, mind, soul.
The production depicts a woman named Maggie, in a small town in the Midwest, as she deals with the sudden death of her husband, Marv, which affects not only her, but their entire community. A narrator introduces the audience to the story and walks viewers through the emotions that Maggie and the characters are experiencing, including Wally, Marv’s younger brother who is lost without him, and his older brother Jeff. We meet everyone who has a reason to come into home that Maggie and Marv shared and bring their thoughts about his death, his life, and what was happening behind the scenes.
As you sit in the intimate and open space at the Space at Irondale (85 S. Oxford Street), you find yourself captivated by the narrator’s intensely detailed description of every part of Marv and Maggie’s house. You envision every table, the piano, the sunlight. You see the story of a couple, their love, their transgressions, but also the need we all have to make sense of the sudden loss of a loved one, especially when they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Maggie goes through so many emotions and you can feel the struggle she is having with her grieving process, something that anyone who has lost a loved one understands and empathizes with. Weiler has taken a very real moment in people’s lives and broken it down in a delicate, caring, and meaningful way. Watching the family dynamic of these characters is also gripping. The twists and turns of the play are beautifully executed; you find yourself watching something that can be devastatingly sad, but that in the end has hope and a bit of joy as Maggie maneuvers the obstacles, grief, anger, and confusion that come with losing a loved one suddenly.
Weiler’s work will have you thinking about how fragile life can be, but also about the beauty of a life that is well lived. The cast in this production are absolutely riveting. Quincy Tyler Bernstine handles the role of Maggie with such quiet dignity, such understanding, compassion, and love, you can’t help but feel empathy for her and moved as you experience the highs and lows with her.
Michael Chernus is outstanding as he handles dual roles. He has such a calm demeanor and is a guiding presence in the production. He is nothing less than a treasure in this play.
Bernstine was playing Maggie and doing a phenomenal job, but left the show, with her last performance on August 29. Marin Ireland is taking over the role.
The ensemble brings so much to the telling of this story and includes Danny McCarthy (Jeff), Will Dagger (Wally), Amelia Workman (Julia), Emily Davis (Angela), Constance Shulman (Joanie), and Cricket Brown (Ashley).
The wonderful direction of Jack Serio makes this a production must-see.
The technical team behind the show includes Franck J. Oliva, scenic design; Avery Reed, costume design, Stacey Derosier; lighting design; Brandon Bulls, sound design; and Avi Amon, original music.
The show plays through September 12. For tickets, visit www.letyougonyc.com. I truly hope to see more from Weiler.