Two Rooms

Reviewed by Julia Stier
Assembly Theatre Company
Through August 18

Assembly Theatre Company, under the direction of Herb Hall, springs onto the scene with their inaugural production of Lee Blessing’s Two Rooms at the Little Victory Theatre. Hard-hitting and moving, it questions the effectiveness of hope, trust and U.S. foreign policy.

On opposites sides of the world, Michael (Michael Uribes) and his wife Lainie (Ashley Felkner) pace the confines of their respective rooms. Michael, a hostage kidnapped while teaching in Beirut, spends his days blindfolded and wondering. Lainie, waiting and worried, has confined herself to her husband’s old office back in the United States. Dissatisfied with the State Department’s lackluster attempts to obtain her husband’s release, Lainie starts to listen to Walker (Monti Washington), a journalist who encourages her to open up to the media about her experience. Lainie is warned against such action by Ellen (Jessica M. Legrair) — the State Department worker assigned to Michael’s case — who claims that the only thing that will help Michael is hope.

As Lainie, Felkner delivers a heart-wrenching performance with a fully fleshed-out character, full of fire and fear. Uribes’s Michael remains positive despite his circumstances — a man able to hold onto his humanity and sense of humor despite all odds.

Michael Teoli’s original music is percussive and haunting, and cleverly imbued with Arabic motifs that help frame the story. This music effectively signals transitions between scenes to help differentiate between Michael’s cell and Lainie’s back home. However, it is not used consistently, and the transitions without music can feel a bit abrupt.

The play brings up interesting points about the United States and its place in the world. Michael monologues about how hated Americans are in some other countries, and how much of that may be chalked up to jealousy and the resultant anger. And while the story takes place in the late 80s, it explores issues that are still relevant to the U.S. conflict and tensions in the Middle East. Two Rooms illustrates the pain these conflicts can inflict on innocents and provides a compassionate look at the victims of these hopeless situations.

The Victory Center Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m.; through Aug. 18. https://www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org/tickets-events/little-victory. Running time: 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.