NY Theater Review Susan Hasho
In the play Lift, two people are stuck in an elevator during an extreme undefined event—bomb, attack, unknown. If this continues for two hours, it better be, at best, interesting.
In this production at 59e59 Theaters, though the actors are willing, the script gives them a long journey scattered with clichés. Written by author Walter Mosley, creator of the classic mystery series centered on Easy Rawlins, the events in the play force two people, Theodore Southmore (Biko Eisen-Martin) and Tina (Maame Yaa Boafo), to trust each other to struggle for survival. Personal secrets are revealed, the two characters get closer and help arrives. This small limited scenario demands risk taking on the part of the playwright in order to keep an audience challenged and engaged. Mosley provided minimal insight into the situation and only skimmed the surface of the characters.
Biko Eisen-Martin and Maame Yaa Boafo have developed an interesting and warm connection with each other and work very well together which makes them worth watching. That they have nowhere to go in an elevator, is the writer’s problem and our loss.
LIFT began performances on Friday, October 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 30. The performance schedule is Tuesday – Thursday at 7 PM; Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM & 7 PM. Single tickets are $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.
Photos: Carol Rosegg
