The Flea is doing something great in the city of New York: presenting the New York premiere of "The Recommendation" by playwright Jonathan Caren (author of the critically acclaimed "Catch the Fish"). Directed by Kel Haney ("The Shakes: Romeo and Juliet") and featuring members of resident theater company The Bats, this production is worth the ticket price.
The play tells the story of the popular and connected Aaron Feldman (the charming and confident Austin Trow) and his best friend Iskinder Iudoku (articulately played by James Fouhey). When Feldman gets pulled over for a broken taillight he finds himself in a world where his privilege means nothing. The guy who knows all the right people, who has depended on recommendations to get him through every door in his life, suddenly ends up scared and alone in a holding cell.
At the atypical beginning of the play, actor Barron B. Bass, humble with an earnest smile, greets the audience and ushers them downstairs to share in the story. When Trow joins him for the House Speech, you can tell these athletes of the craft have something special on hand. It is only then that the house lights go down and the music brings in the narrator Iskinder as he lays out the foundation for this roller coaster ride of a play.
In "The Recommendation", Caren intimately dissects friendship, class, and the condition of loyalty, masterfully divulging secrets and stories that bring these characters into our laps with no apologies. The three actors continue throughout the play to break the fourth wall boldly -- giving out resumes for a job interview, handing off pants to help with costume changes, and asking real questions challenging the decisions made at hand. Haney keeps the pace quick with excitement as he builds up to the crisis that shatters Feldman’s easy life. In the holding cell, Fouhey plays a comical addict, adding color to the tension between Dwight Barnes (captivatingly played by Barron B. Bass) and Feldman.
I’m recommending "The Recommendation", but that means nothing until you experience it for yourself. Now extended through October 7th Wednesdays-Sundays at 7 p.m. at The Flea (41 White Street).
Click here for full event listing: https://www.stagebuddy.com/listingdetail.php?lid=14065
