“Fly Me to the Moon” at 59E59 Theaters Written and Directed by Marie Jones Reviewed by David Roberts Theatre Reviews Limited
Wee Davey McGhee’s body lies moldering in his grave (bathroom) while his caregivers Loretta Mackey and Frances Shields concoct ways to acquire and then divvy up his assets. Marie Jones’ dark comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” chronicles their capers from Loretta’s shocking discovery of Davey’s bruised dead body to Frances’ final efforts to cover up their blue collar crime.
Prior to his demise, Davey was homebound, unable to care for himself, and lonely. He was meticulous about collecting his weekly pension and passionate about betting on the horses. Davey had no scientific method for betting and he rarely, if ever, won anything. He chose his horses based on their names – the more interesting the better. His most recent pick, before his untimely death, was the horse named “Fly Me to the Moon” one of Davey’s favorite Sinatra melodies. After his demise, Loretta and Frances assume everything that was Davey’s is up for grabs and available to balance the scales of economic injustice in their favor.
The audience wonders which comes first: corporate misconduct and greed or individual misconduct and greed? For middle-class health workers Loretta and Frances, the answer is apparent. The little guy (aka Loretta, Frances, and their miserable lot) is always up against the big guy and whatever the little guy needs to do to survive is morally right. Frances’ moral dictums are tasty morsels. Whenever she and Loretta enter the world of the morally ambiguous, Frances proclaims or opines: “Don’t ask questions.” “It’s about supply and demand.” “We’re doing nothing wrong.” “This is what Davey would have wanted” (after collecting his post mortem racetrack winnings).
When Davey dies unattended in his bathroom, whatever was once his – weekly pension payment, racetrack winning, even his meals-on-wheels shepherd’s pie – is fair game for the taking and all with Davey’s blessing. Like Lucy and Ethel before them, Loretta and Frances dig themselves deeper and deeper into moral debt as “Fly Me to the Moon” progresses. Their attempt to cover up one misdemeanor with another crime lands them squarely into a moral quagmire.
Despite the occasional “moral intervention” of the ring of the mobile phone, the pair cannot make the necessary confession to begin to get them out of trouble – deep trouble. Veteran actors Tara Lynne O’Neill (Loretta) and Katie Tumelty (Frances) mesmerize the audience with their ability to maneuver through Marie Jones’ captivating script. Under Jones’ meticulous direction, O’Neill and Tumelty successfully lead the audience into an unexpected examination of the rapid demise of both individual and corporate moral fiber.
Marie Jones’ challenging play “Fly Me to the Moon” is not just about two women struggling to make ends meet in tough financial times. This significant piece is a trope, an extended metaphor, about culpability and responsibility for the disintegration of all that we have held dear.
Can what matters be salvaged or does it all have to be burned down and given a new start? Are we phoenix like or will the immolation simply destroy what is extant? Loretta and Frances attempt a walk through a refining fire and determine that they cannot keep any of wee Davey’s assets. But is their choice one of moral integrity or is it a choice made to protect them from the long arm of the law? Only time will tell whether this pair are truly reformed or not. At play’s end, they promise “to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” They -- one Catholic, one Protestant -- make their promise not only to one another but to God. If only they had gotten to work at the same time as usual. If only if had not rained. If only Loretta had not had the full responsibility of wheeling wee Davey to the toilet. If only. If only. The dilemma of Frances and Loretta is the dilemma of post-modern global citizens. Their lot is ours. See this provocative play and choose your side before it is too late.
FLY ME TO THE MOON
FLY ME TO THE MOON is presented by The Origin Theatre Company as part of 1st Irish 2012 at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues). Produced by Martin Lynch. Written and Directed by Marie Jones. Designed by Niall Rea.
The cast features Tara Lynne O’Neill (the film adaptation of Disco Pigs) and Katie Tumelty (The Billy Trilogy and Remembrance at Arts Theatre Belfast and Irish Tour).
FLY ME TO THE MOON began performances on Wednesday, September 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 30. The performance schedule is Tuesday – Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday at 8:15 PM; Saturday at 2:15 PM and 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM and 7:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
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