Review: WAKEY WAKEY at Urbanite Theatre

Obie-award-winning playwright Will Eno's play Wakey Wakey is about death, or at least the encroaching demise of a one Mr. Guy Emerson (James FitzGerald). Urbanite Theatre states, "the writer celebrates life's gifts with an uplifting mix of gratitude, absurdity and humor in this spirited and affecting portrait of humanity." I found this quirky play to be a wake-up call to recognize and enjoy life's simple blessings.

"Is it now?" Guy asks, when the lights come on and we first have a glimpse of him, sprawled face down on the floor. The sparse stage displays a few packing boxes here and there. "I thought I had more time."

This may hit a little too close for home for some of us and will make us all question just how much time we do have. Death is a tough subject to broach. Although this play leans on the dark side a bit, it is profoundly moving. It is also absurdly funny.

As Guy is talking us through his last thoughts and remembrances you get the feeling he is delivering his own eulogy and you are attending his funeral. What he has to impart is important because he took the time to write it down on index cards that he reads to us. Expounding on some thoughts and forgetting why he wrote down others, he helps us to visualize what he is stating. He is funny one minute; painfully profound the next. One line that stayed with me, that I could see crystal clear in my mind was when he described the joy of watching a train coming out from a tunnel. "Even though it was so normal, it was also somehow, like blessed or something. People looked scared, happy, tired, curious, ready. You could've put a thousand different captions with the picture and they all would've made sense." To me, that sums up life in general. Many people can see the same thing and their recollection can be different or mean different things to each of them. I briefly thought of those ambiguous images where reversible figures render optical illusions allowing one person to see an old lady while another, looking at the same image, clearly sees a younger woman. How many of us take time to see and enjoy the simple things in life before its too late?

We don't know a lot about Guy. Throughout the entire play, with the exception of a few minutes of walking, then standing, he spends his time in his wheelchair, adequately rolling about the stage and addressing us, his audience, the bereaved. Only when his caretaker Lisa (Brittney M. Caldwell) arrives to comfort and care for him, we come to know he was once a children's swimming and diving instructor. He had a life. He tells us about things that were important to him. He shares images of pictures and videos that enable us to be a part of the world in which he lived and loved. He says funny things, profound things, heartbreaking things, haunting things. You wonder. What was it like for those you have already lost? What will it be like when it's your turn? "I thought I had more time", said Guy. Don't we all? Don't we all.

It takes a lot of skill and deep characterization to engage and hold your audience within the confines of such a topic, let alone adding the restrictions of acting from a wheelchair, which offers limited ability to gesticulate without restraint or freely move about. FitzGerald played Guy with grace and dignity and made him real and gentle and kind. He will take you on a ride of every emotion. Ms. Caldwell portrayed Lisa, the angelic caretaker, with a depth of quiet assurance in knowing how to care for her dying patient. Although the part of Lisa is a small role, Brittney made a big impact with the peacefulness and humbled spirit she brought to the stage. The last few minutes we spend with Guy watching her help him transition was so touching, so benevolent.

Director Brendan Ragan created a world where Mr. Fitzgerald could focus on his character and deliver from the heart. Kudos to soundman Alex Pinchin and light effects by Mike Wood who brought to life Guys sensory feelings allowing the audience to see and feel Guy's descriptive remembrances. Projections and video design by Zachery E. Hines added a visually, heartwarming dimension to this production.

For more information about Urbanite Theatre, visit www.urbanitetheatre.com. For opportunities to read up on and support their sister theater, Denizen Theatre in New York, in its inaugural season, visit www.denizentheatre.com.

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