WE HAD A WORLD

Review by Celia Ipiotis

Mothers and sons are dominating this season’s stages. At the NYC Center Stage II, Joshua Harmon’s We Had A World dramatized the intense triangle vibrating between mother, daughter and son. In contrast to the acrid relationship alienating mother and daughter, the two women poured all their love into the son/grandon, Joshua.

Recounting a thrilling relationship with his grandmother Renee (Joanna Gleason), Joshua was spurred into a theatrical career through her prodding demands to be immersed in art. A woman of the world , Nana’s sharp tongue clarified scruffy ideas and sheared the patina off fakes. 

At times, Joshua ( Andrew Barth Feldman) addressed the audience–much like a narrator– he annotated the scenes for the audience’s clarity. Nana reminded me of my art-forward uncle who lived in Manhattan. Almost every time we went out he would say “don’t tell your mother I took you to see this film, or this exhibition or that drag show.”

Similarly, Nana never limited Joshua’s experiences, regardless of his age. She was his culture sherpa and translated his forays into a performance of Medea or a Mapplethorp exhibition, among many other experiences. Although Renee sucked up  much of the air, Joshua’s mother, Elle  (Jeanine Serralles) materialized to admonish and assist Josh when he got into  scrapes –reminding him she was a powerful lawyer and the one positioned to protect him.

These two very strong, very smart and very self-directed women retained their bond through Joshua who finally learned Nana’s unexplained beavioral lapses were due to her alcoholism.

Director Trip Cullman succinctly choreographed the sequences as duets and trios, each with its own dynamic. They traveled through a spare set by John Lee Beatty consisting not much more than a desk, metal chairs and record player all understatedly lit by Ben Stanton.

Seated on three sides, the audience was easily drawn into the family drama. Impressively the cast functioned as a seamless unit. A force of will, the magnetic Gleason generously shared the stage with her affable grandson and accomplished daughter who sadly, forever remained uneasy in her skin.

We Had A World reminded us to never underestimate the impact impassioned adults can have on developing minds.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Celia Ipiotis