Review: Smart Script And Talented Cast Are Good Reasons To Check Out “Memoirs Of A Forgotten Man”

Memoirs Of A Forgotten Man
Thalia’s Umbrella
At 12th Avenue Arts

Through March 9, 2024

A fascinating and brilliantly written production, Memoirs of a Forgotten Man, is now onstage at 12^th Avenue Arts, by Thalia’s Umbrella. It feels like a decades-past Russian-written critique of their government, but was written by an American, D. W. Gregory, and only in 2018.
 
We meet Dr. Berezina (Sunam Ellis) who is trying to get her doctorate thesis approved for publication and has been called in to meet Comrade Kreplev (Jon Lutyens), but it’s on a Sunday morning – a very odd time to be meeting about this effort. Immediately, we are on edge because she is on edge. A feeling of menace and discomfort infuse every moment. What is she doing there? What is he doing there?
 
Kreplev practically dismisses all of her scientific effort. He demands to know information that is not present in her writings. Her focus is regarding memory and how it works. She has written about a subject of hers whom she both studied and counseled 20 years earlier. But the man has disappeared. Kreplev is most interested in him and where he has disappeared to. She is completely baffled by this.
 
Kreplev is by turns conciliatory, abrupt, menacing and even blackmailing her. Still, his business with her is a mystery. She begins to tell the story of this subject, she’ll call him “Alexei” (Patrick Harvey), who she described as having both a photographic memory and also synesthesia, being able to taste words and hear colors. Alexei appears in her memories of her meetings with him, as she describes the progress of their relationship.
 
Alexei then describes to her his family and their lives growing up under repressive Stalinist society. He talks about his mother (Leslie Law) and his brother, Vassily (also Lutyens), and the nosy neighbor, Demidova (also Ellis). He describes how much trouble he got into with his publications boss (also Law), who did not understand why he couldn’t forget dissidents’ speeches. As we watch this history unfold, we know how much danger he clearly is in, but Alexei does not perceive or understand that danger.

In this production, four pitch-perfect actors create all of these characters. Ellis demonstrates almost uncanny ability to be both the cautious, suspicious doctor and the creepy, nosy neighbor, each of whom is so specific and so believable. Law also seamlessly changes from warm, anxious mother to unkind, stern, boss or teacher. Lutyens tosses off his glasses and becomes an older brother who can’t protect this young, vulnerable brother.
 
Harvey is amazing as he drinks into himself a clearly neurodiverse character. His movements, stares into space, and diffident, confused manner lend total believability to this befuddled man. It’s a tour-de-force performance.

Directed ably by Terry Edward Moore, with a simple, flexible set and evocative background by Roberta Russell, who also designed the lighting, the technical aspects never draw attention to themselves to distract. Kyle Thompson’s sound design ever-so-softly hints at doors shutting, or people present on the other side of a door.
 
The script is wonderfully crafted, unfolding the story with precision, causing the audience to sit forward trying to figure out where it’s going. The danger in the political manipulation of memory and whose truth is being told is obviously topical. Soviet “propaganda” is now “fake news” and those who are falling for it without protective filters are pawns in the political game.
 
But more than that, Gregory’s compassion for this unique character and the care she has taken with his dialogue help us fall in love with him and his communication style. Somewhat similarly to the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens, a deep exposure to someone who doesn’t think as most do helps us develop compassion for others, and reminds us that these differences enlarge and enrich our lives.
 
I highly recommend this production! If you love post-play discussions with friends, this play will provide plenty of fodder and food for thought.

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