Larisa Oleynik and Caroline Aaron star in the L.A. Premiere of "BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW" by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Sara Botsford and now playing at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood.
There is a wonderful dramedy at the NoHo Arts Center! It’s the Los Angeles premiere of “Be a Good Little Widow” written by playwright Bekah Brunstetter and presented by 49th Parallel in association with The NoHo Arts Center. This is a six week limited engagement that runs through May 25.
Tastefully with grace and humor the topics of love, death and loss are intertwined. The story begins with a newly married couple, Craig (Donovan Patton) and Melody (Larisa Oleynik), who have moved from Denver to Connecticut. The hiccup is that Craig’s mother Hope (Caroline Aaron) also lives in Connecticut.
As the couple settles into married life, Craig, an up-and-coming attorney, frequently travels, splitting his attention between Melody, travel and his cell phone. Melody, bored and alone, fills her days aimlessly setting up house and ordering take-out food. She shares with Craig that the highlight of her day is color coordinating her clothes which she tells him is sad.
When Craig’s mother Hope, a poised cultured widow who is the head of a Widows League, joins the couple for dinner tension mounts. Hope is insulting; with the finesse of a surgeon Hope undermines every attempt Melody makes to make her feel welcome. From the décor to the food Melody serves Hope is ruthless with criticisms. Hope challenges her sons choice of Melody, refers to her as a child and reminds him of a previous girlfriend who is “not over” him. Craig assures his mother that he loves and is happy with Melody.
Caroline Aaron, Trey McCurley and Larisa Oleynik star in the L.A. Premiere of "BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW" by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Sara Botsford and now playing at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood.
Wanting Melody to be happy, Craig gently encourages her to enhance her life with classes or a job. Melody’s response is bitter. We realize that her lack of direction and ambition is a sensitive issue. Craig doesn’t belabor the point and continues on preparing for his upcoming business trip.
During a business trip, Craig calls Melody from the road to let her know that his assistant Brad (Trey McCurley) will be by the house to pick up a package. Though Brad admires and respects Craig he is attracted to Melody. Brad, a man-child, appears to fumble through life without focus or care, a kindred spirit to Melody.
On the flight back from a business trip, Craig dies in a plane crash. Melody, Hope and Brad must find a way to cope with his death.
Caroline Aaron’s awe-inspiring portrayal of a composed, seasoned widow is honest. The scene with her teaching her newly widowed daughter-in-law how to prepare for a funeral was truthful. It is here that we see the beginnings of the onion being slowly pulled back. As the professional widow she has hidden her agony with tactile funeral activities. She attempts to involve an unreceptive Melody in the process so that she too can become a good widow. It is through Hope’s frustration with Melody’s lack of decorum as a widow that Caroline expose a vulnerable and broken Hope. This is done with delicate restraint. Though the audience expects Hope to break, we are saddened when we witness the lioness fall.
Larisa Oleynik’s Melody is perfect. Either Larisa is a Melody or she is one of the finest actresses I have had the pleasure of watching in years. Larisa has skillfully captured the naïve, spoiled and selfishness of Melody which helps us understand this seemingly simple girl’s complexity.
Donovan Patton and Trey McCurley are spot on as the Ying and Yang of the two men who adore Melody, showing warmth and affection for the quirkiness found in Melody’s character.
Director Sara Botsford is impeccable, not dwelling on the darkness of the loss with eerie lighting and music. The plane crashed, Craig died, it was awful and horrific, that is a fact within the play. But the point of the play is the interaction of the heretofore strangers, particularly Melody and Hope who change because of the loss. Sara focuses our attention on the relationships, and the ebbs and flows of loss. I appreciate the constant restraint it took not to pander to the obvious; death, family discord, lapse in judgment.
Crew is to be acknowledged, from the music, set design, and lighting all were expertly accomplished. The visions of the late Craig are masterfully executed.
I enjoyed this show and recommend it. I could see this show over again, and enjoy it a second time. It truly is must see entertainment.
PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew Pagana