At the Table
Reviewed by Taylor Kass
The Road Theatre Company
Extended through July 20
RECOMMENDED
In At the Table, the political is personal. Four old friends — endearingly grumpy Elliot (Ray Paolantonio), perpetually cool Nate (Christian Prentice), abrasively confrontational Stuart (Justin Okin), and Stuart’s warm but overly accommodating girlfriend Lauren (Cherish Monique Duke) — journey to the Catskills for a tech-free weekend of nature, relaxation, and lots of wine. But this time, they’ve brought along two new friends who aren’t so willing to overlook the group’s unhealthy dynamics. After ideological debates hit some real nerves, cracks begin to appear in these tight-knit friendships. Who gets a seat at the table and who has to sleep on the couch? The Road Theatre Company has done political theatre right: At the Table is nuanced, character-driven and devoid of self-righteousness.
Michael Perlman’s dialogue is snappy and conversational while never shying away from honesty or pain. This play is well-structured and perfectly paced under Judith Moreland’s naturalistic yet impactful direction. Its setting in an idyllic getaway vacation home (a lived-in and well-dressed set by Brian Graves) tees up a succinct metaphor — that no matter how much you try to escape the toxicity and vitriol of American politics, the outside world will infiltrate even the safest of spaces and most intimate of relationships.
Even though the script itself is strong, it could easily have become preachy, dull, or straight-up offensive in the wrong hands. Thankfully, this ensemble is emotionally engaged and equipped with the stamina and technique to control this textually-dense play. In particular, Cherish Monique Duke is heartbreaking and endearing as Lauren, a black woman learning to own her blackness after years of making herself small for the comfort of her white friends. Blake Young-Fountain as Nicholas, a new addition to the group, is unwaveringly authentic and quietly perceptive. But while each and every cast member is stellar, most impressive is their finely tuned chemistry as an ensemble. Rather than a smattering of disconnected political speeches, At the Table is watchable and engaging because of the company’s commitment to searching for a way to love and understand each other.
Very few, if any, of these characters are likable — but far more importantly, they’re real. They are your well-meaning but uninformed family member, your blissfully politically unaware friend, maybe even you at your least sensitive. And yes, there is something ironic about a (probably) privileged audience applauding a piece that so deftly knocks them off their pedestal and reminds them that “there are real things going on in the world.” But if you walk out of At the Table patting yourself on the back for your political correctness, then you’ve missed the point.
The Road Theatre on Lankershim, Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; Mon., Jul. 1, 8 & 15, 8 p.m.; Thurs., Jul. 20 & 27, 8 p.m.; extended through Jul. 20 (Note: alternate cast on select dates). (818) 761-8838 or www.roadtheatre.org. Running time: two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
