“You think I confuse you? You should see what I do to myself!” This confessional outburst of a 30-something single woman, in a nutshell, sums up the tone of Scott Organ’s irreverent romantic comedy, “Phoenix.” Directed by Jennifer Delia, the one-act show runs at the Cherry Lane Theatre for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 23.
“Phoenix” originally premiered at the 34th Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2010, shortly followed in the same year with an off-Broadway run by the Barrow Group Theatre Company. The intimate feel of Organ’s story is well-suited for the cozy Cherry Lane Theatre. In this production, Julia Stiles and James Wirt star as Sue and Bruce, a romantic odd-couple dealing with the aftermath of their recent one-night stand in New York. Stiles’ character Sue makes it clear from the get-go that she would prefer never to see Bruce again. Much to her chagrin, Bruce feels differently–so differently, that he’s willing to follow her all the way to the Grand Canyon state.
The script of “Phoenix” requires little in the way of elaborate scenery or props, and indeed, the set design here is kept to a minimum. One rotating square platform occupies the stage, topped only by a long couch, two chairs, and a table. Stiles and Wirt conduct all their costume changes on stage, rotating the platform between each scene depending on which side is needed. Subtle lighting changes throughout the show highlight a series of paintings hanging above all the action, showing images of the Arizona desert bookended by portraits of Sue and Bruce. For all the potential the spare set offers for allowing the actors to play off each other and establish a sense of place, at times it feels like the space is not being used to its full capacity; in one scene, it is unclear as to where the characters are supposed to be (a coffee shop, parking lot, or hotel lobby, perhaps?). In the play’s opening scene, Stiles at one point stands on a chair to make a declaration–the action appears a bit unmotivated, as if the actors are moving simply for the sake of action, rather than moving with a clear objective.
The strength of “Phoenix” lies in Organ’s knack for creating two characters frustrated by their simultaneous repulsion and attraction to one another. Stiles inhabits the role of Sue with a degree of physical awkwardness that works well for the character, a woman who finds herself clinging to a set of self-inflicted life rules that she may not entirely believe in anymore. In Stiles we see the uncertainty and loneliness that lies just beneath Sue’s staunchly independent facade. As her eternally optimistic foil, James Wirt breathes energy into each scene. The actor’s comedic timing is impeccable, and he manages to keep those who may be tempted to write Bruce off as comedic relief guessing. As Bruce, Wirt commands the stage with a physical ease and lovesick goofiness that sets him at odds with tense Sue, often to hilarious effect.
Phoenix is now playing at Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village. For tickets and showtimes, please visit: http://www.cherrylanetheatre.org/onstage/phoenix/.
-Brigid Ronan
