Dex and Julie Sittin' in a Tree
Arcadia Stage, Arden Theatre
Until Mar. 4, Thu-Fri, 8 p.m.; Sat, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Tue, 8 p.m.; Wed, 6:30 p.m.; $29
(215) 922-1122
www.ardentheatre.org
Dex and Julie Sittin' in a Tree, a new play by Penn professor Bruce Graham, appears to be a story about the reunion between two ex-lovers who reunite some twenty years after college, seeking closure for their once smoldering relationship. But as the plot unfolds, its darker elements seep through. Soon, a light-hearted story becomes a series of ruminations on the balance of power between the sexes, the distortion of memory and the seductive powers of nostalgia.
In college, Michael "Dex" Dexter (John Lumia) was a callous cad and Julie Chernitsky (Jennifer Childs) a na've ing‚nue. Dex hasn't changed much in the intervening years (now he's a hotshot lawyer), but Julie has since matured into a more assertive version of herself. The interaction of these two characters are the bread and butter of the play, with the flirtations of the first act descending into feuding in the second.
Walking into the play's space itself is a lesson in contrast. The Arden's minimalist, well-lit lobby is quickly replaced by an intimate set that blurs the line between stage and audience. The set is a staggeringly realistic cabin that spans the audience's whole range of view, as to create the illusion that they are simply looking into a panorama of a building, a cross-section of two characters' lives. A great sound system and well-conceived lighting only add to the experience. This scenic design complements the play's tone perfectly -- the intensely personal story is only enhanced by an equally personal set that places audience and actors side by side.
Because the cast is limited to just two, the entire performance hinges on their ability to recreate believable conversation. At the beginning, Dex and Julie make an awkward pair. The gaps in between their responses seem a little too long, their gestures and articulations a bit too pronounced. But the two soldier on and by the second act relax into their roles with relative ease. Dex even occasionally shines when he seems to get caught up in the moment. However, the nagging feeling that their conversation is too rehearsed never quite disappears.
Graham's work is perhaps best suited for an older audience. Characters drop forgotten names like Lillian Hellman and Rose Kennedy. They tell Reagan and hippie jokes that would have been hilarious in 1980. Still, a college student will appreciate the smooth, well thought-out production, even if they have not yet reached the age when the travails of middle age resonate with emotional weight.
It's when Graham drops the funny man act that his story is surprisingly touching. Dex and Julie are fragile characters who we can't help but sympathize with throughout, even when their interactions verge on the dramatic. While the play's sentiment might ring most true with the mid-life crisis set, its thought-provoking foray into college (and post-college) romance makes it worth your attention too.
