The Years....Just Right

Bravo to the Oberon Theatre Ensemble for producing a play worthy of a second look. "The Years," written by Cindy Lou Johnson and directed by Cynthia Dillon, presents stellar acting along with and impeccable script to make this a sure fire hit for one of New York's finest theatre companies.

 

"The Years" is a variation of a theme reminiscent of the critically acclaimed film "The Hours." Much like how "The Hours" focused on the lives of three different women who inadvertently and unconsciously were intertwined, "The Years" features a slightly off-center family and displays how the events in their lives impact them in various and circuitous ways.

 

The play covers sixteen years of four cousins lives and magically showcases the way thoughts and philosophies change over time for each individual and how hopes and dreams can turn radically in either a good or bad direction. "The Years" depicts the beauty of aging and the power of forgiveness in a masterful way that is relatable and true. Whether characters are drawn together by chance, blood or by forgiveness, the situations are believable and can make you appreciate the curves life throws at you by the time the final curtain falls.

 

There are four main characters, Andrea, Isabella, Andrew, Eloise, played by Emily DePew, Karen Sternberg, Jarel Davidow and Laura Siner respectively, that grace the stage, with different insecurities and problems that they have encountered throughout the years. As a credit to Johnson, no character is underwritten as the audience can clearly ascertain how different events will affect each cousin differently. Karen Sternberg who plays Isabella, however, deserves standout recognition. Her saucy and sarcastic character enters and exits the stage with the right measure of bite and comic relief when needed. She portrays the neurotic cousin that's in every family who cares and wants the best for everyone. Although Isabella's intentions are good in regards to her family, you can start to faintly see at the conclusion of Act I how she could very easily fall apart at any moment. She has independently taken on the responsibility for her cousins' happiness after their mother committed suicide, while at the same time is pushing her brother to be more fulfilled with life by finding a financially sound job. While trying so hard to be the funny, yet calm and smooth cousin, she has lost paying attention to herself and the understanding that happiness is a different definition for every person. Sternberg plays this part without missing a beat. I couldn't help but be reminded of Annette Bening's masterful performance of Carolyn Burnham in "American Beauty" when I saw her on stage. Sternberg's role of Isabella in no means was a copy of this "American Beauty" performance, but was instead a stunning and inadvertent tribute to a classic character. Sternberg was completely consumed in Isabella and gracefully managed the difficult task of standing out in talented ensemble of four.

 

"The Years" becomes such a poignant play through the fine acting and an amazing script that deserves as much attention as Sternberg's performance. There were so many choice lines throughout the script that would do any quote page proud. An audience member that I sat next to continually had a satisfying smile creep across his face after different lines were said. Time after time, the dialogue delivered words that summed up aspects of life in such simplicity. For instance, a robber that the audience meets at the beginning of the play turns his life around to become a success and modestly says at one point, "…my life didn't change – I changed my life…" Another touching line at the close of the play reads, "…the people who you forgive can't hurt you, it's the ones who you can't that disfigure you…" 

 

Although "The Years" doesn't tie the story up in one big shiny package with nary a loose end attached, it does leave the audience satisfied with the performance. The play depicts everyday life so seamlessly that it is easy to see aspects of yourself reflected in each of the characters. If you're a sucker for dramas and good quotes the Oberon Theatre Ensemble's production of "The Years" is a perfect fit.

 

"The Years" is running through February 20^th at the Shetler Theater 54 on

54^th Street

between

8^th Avenue

and Broadway. Please call 212-560-2241 for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

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