Thoughts on The Lying Lesson

I believe I have mentioned before how much I enjoy Craig Lucas's work.  I find his plays to be deeply true, risky, a little magical, and totally original.  (full disclosure: I also know Craig a bit and think he's a wonderful person)  When I saw that the Atlantic Theatre Company was presenting his new play, The Lying Lesson, I knew I had to be there. 

The show doesn't open until next week, and I think Craig is still tweaking, so I'll just offer a few thoughts.  The play is a two-hander, set in the early 80s, in a house in Maine.  An older woman has come to buy the house, because she has fond memories of the area, and she meets a younger gal who says she's the caretaker of the house.  It turns out the older woman is Bette Davis.  The rest, as they say, could be a spoiler.

The things the play delves into - the lies we tell ourselves, the need to connect, memory, illusion - are all very lovely.  The way the truth-telling and the lying all sort of spin in on themselves is very intriguing.  Of course, using some Bette Davis-type quips are also very funny and Craig, as always, has a gorgeous way with dialogue.  But I'll admit I didn't get as much out of the evening as I would've liked...

Carol Kane plays Bette Davis and I think she's still trying to get a handle on things.  Admittedly, it's a big ask.  It's sort of astounding how much she looks like Bette Davis, and at times, she is simply spectacular - there are moments that resonate beautifully.  But she also seemed to struggle at times, and was perhaps working her way in through the stereotypical Bette Davis 'character.'  When she simply relaxed and interacted, it was great.  Other moments, especially at the top of the show, were much rougher and it made it hard to engage in the play itself.

Mickey Sumner played the other gal - hey, she's Sting's daughter!   I had no idea!  I was doing a little Googling and found that out this morning.  Not that it means anything.  But I was wracking my brain last night, trying to figure out who she reminded me of.  Mystery solved.  Anyway, she was quite good, and very appealing, though I think it was hard for her while Carol was in her own bubble.  I think I'll need to go back later in the run and see how their chemistry has grown, because there definitely was some brewing here and there.  I think seeing the hints of something great just frustrated me.  But I was never bored and I would love to see everything come together.

I will say that many of my seat neighbors did not share my optimism.  Several people around me left, though, of course, not the gent next to me who perhaps should've edited his cologne usage before he left the house.  And the young 'uns in front of me kept their phones on entirely too long in the second act.  But, hey, it's their loss if they couldn't see the good in the play.  Though, I admit it - I'm a Pollyanna when it comes to Craig Lucas.  So take everything I say with a grain of salt.  As usual.  ;)