Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Zoe Kazan’s ambitious AFTER THE BLAST is intelligent theater, meticulously staged

• By drediman
• November 20, 2017
• No Comments

Cristin Milioti in Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Zoe Kazan’s “After the Blast” at the Claire Tow Theater.

This weekend, I caught one of the final performances of Zoe Kazan’s new sci-fi/relationship drama, After the Blast. The gifted Ms. Kazan, one of the most instinctive actresses of her generation, here has written an ambitious play that quietly yet richly mines a diverse set of themes, from post-apocalyptic realities to mental health. The work also explores the notion of artificial intelligence, in the unassuming form of an R2-D2-like robotic companion named Arthur, who has been engaged by the play’s central couple, Anna and Oliver, to deal with the former’s depression. As such, the piece calls to mind excellent, thought-provoking films such as Pixar’s WALL-E, Spike Jonze’s Her, and Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Ms. Kazan’s work also reminded me a bit of Jordan Harrison’s spare, haunting play Marjorie Prime. Even if After the Blast doesn’t have the distinctive flare of these works and feels a tad padded, her play is intelligently written and carefully plotted.

You can always count on director Lila Neugebauer to bring a stylish, meticulous eye to everything she works on, and she does not disappoint in After the Blast. Ms. Neugebauer, with the help of superb contributions from set designer David Zimmerman and lighting designer Eric Southern, has created in her production a fully convincing and detailed world (it’s typically a tough task to conjure a believable futuristic setting on the stage). Her cast is also excellent, as led by Ms. Milioti, another beguiling actress with deeply expressive eyes and an intense, all-in acting style, and Mr. Harper. Together, their chemistry is palpable, and when the possibility of betrayal is introduced into their characters’ relationship, the dramatic impact is heartrending. And as voiced by Will Connolly, the lovable Arthur nearly steals the show each time he starts to roll across the stage.

RECOMMENDED

AFTER THE BLAST
Off-Broadway, Play
Lincoln Center Theater at the Claire Tow Theater
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Closed