On & Off Broadway

‘Laugh It Up, Stare It Down’

Reviewed by Elyse Trevers

Posted

Not only does Alan Hruska's new play, Laugh It Up, Stare It Down, have a title that is inexplicably hard to remember, it is in search of a tone. At times light and flirtatious, it becomes philosophical, introspective and illogical. There’s talk of God, man, fate and chance — all in the same sentence; and then suddenly there’s a revelation of infidelity. It all happens so quickly that the audience can barely keep up.

The story begins when Joe (Jayce Bartok) stops Chloe (Katya Campbell) from rushing off to meet her boyfriend. He predicts a life of 'ecstatic love' for them if only she will go with him for coffee. The play traces their lives and relationship. Most of it is quite smooth; a man who lives in a one-room apartment with no closet or table, quickly and effortlessly becomes a very successful hedge fund manager. Later there are a few absurdist interruptions, including a missing baby (left In the ladies' room,) a life-threatening water surge in Venice, a home invader negotiating for payment after a game of Russian Roulette, and a restaurant with blank menus.

The dialogue is often witty and clever, yet the characters don't always appear to be addressing each other as they deliver one-liners. Maury Ginsberg and Amy Hargreaves play several smaller roles. Hargreaves is especially enjoyable as a clueless waitress.


The play is fast-moving, with a series of 12 scenes. The story is unsettling and it is often difficult to connect to the characters or ideas. And then it’s over. The abrupt ending has characters (are there two or four?) clinging to a buoy in the ocean after a horrific storm. Suddenly the Cherry Lane Theatre goes black.

As we leave, we discuss, laugh or stare. Or maybe we just don’t give a darn.

A review by Elyse Trevers.