The thrill of discovery: ‘Small Engine Repair and ‘Love Linda’

Things are seldom what they seem. In a new banner season we learn that lesson again from a dazzling flurry of brilliant Shakespeare and Beckett revivals; and equally from a pair of magically constructed newcomers.
If Mark Rylance shows off Shakespeare’s ” Twelfth Night” as never before, John Pollonos’ “Small Engine Repair” is an immediate classic for our times. While Stevie Holland and Gary William Friedman’s “Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter” shines a dazzling musical spotlight on the man behind some of the richest music ever written and his very rich, very social, ever-loving wife.

‘Small Engine Repair’ — a tragicomic shocker
The most powerful play in memory to take on the ills of the social media pike awaits you at the Lucille Lortel Theater — currently only through this week— but sure to surface again very soon. Whenever you see it, Pollonos’ dark comic tale of the shocking soul-wrenching aftermath of a bad joke gone viral — you will never forget the trio of old school buddies who reunite at 30-something Frank’s frayed repair shop. A man who’s devoted his adult life to raising his adored, now 17-year-old daughter has invited them for a “reunion.” But when Frank steps out from their “party”— returning with a $200 bottle of fine wine you know this meeting is a very special occasion indeed.

Brilliantly conceived, pitch-perfectly played by the playwright as Frank, James Ransone as his never-matured old pal Packie and James Badge Dale as the both more tech and life savvy Swaino — its been an uncomfortable reunion at best. When Frank leaves he tells the duo to expect a young man bearing drugs for their “party.” But the arrival of handsome, blonde, preppy Chad (Keegan Allen) charges the repair shop with many fresh emotions as this inflated youth (“my daddy is … does … and look who I am”) gives way to a show-off anecdote of a recent escapade: Chad has lured a guileless high school student to his bed, taken nude photos of her and posted them on the Internet. Frank’s return and all that transpires until the breath-catching conclusion of “Small Engine Repair” is a gripping lesson on the permanent scars left on today’s victims of careless behavior.
Pollonos’ scary lesson, seamlessly directed by Jo Bonney with the insight of a mother whose own children are of the age — is set in Manchester, New Hampshire in the playwright’s home state where that mill town has become a commuter hub. ”Small Engine Repair” is Pollonos’ hark-back, written in record time it turns out, to what his life might have become had he not “pursued other stuff” that led to his present calling. His memories — creating characters from ‘the hood’ who haven’t aged well — seem so real you can viscerally feel the bond circumstances has reborn among them — like it or not. “Small Engine Repair” will surely be remembered at awards time for its searing, powerful insights into the way we live or are forced to live now. Bravo John Pollonos, for touching my soul with “Small Engine Repair.” (Lucille Lortel Theatre, tickets at 212-352-3101)

‘Love, Linda:’ Mrs. Cole Porter tells all!
Brilliant jazz vocalist Stevie Holland is the heart and — it seems — the soul of “Love, Linda,” her solo tale ( written with Gary William Friedman) of glam 1920s Southern socialite Linda Lee Thomas, whose passion for all things Cole Porter led to an enduring and finally richly compatible 35-year marriage with the iconic American songwriter.
If the details of the admittedly gay Porter’s life are glossed over a bit in this tale of their deep companionship, on a glittering backdrop, with Holland svelte in shimmering black, we are treated to Roaring ’20s tales of glamorous sojourns abroad, celebrity friends, opulent parties and the constant influence of Linda Lee Thomas on her husband’s body of enchanting songs.
“Love, Linda,” is at its thrilling best when Holland just stands up and belts or croons Friedman’s stirring arrangements of such cherished Porter standards as “In the Still of the Night,” “I Love Paris,” “Night and Day” and the soaring, passionate “Love For Sale.”
If you don’t know you’re a Cole Porter fan — you’ll become one at “Love, Linda”— and likely want to track down more of vivacious, sultry-voiced Holland’s own body of jazz recordings. A treat for the ear- and the inquisitive- enjoy history in the making at the intimate York Theater at Saint Peter’s Church (54th Street and Lexington Avenue. Tickets at 212-935-5820; www.yorktheatre.org for further info.)
CRITIC’S ALERT: With New Year’s soon upon us, Gilbert and Sullivan fans know where they’re headed — likely with some family in tow. Under the long-guiding baton of artistic director Albert Bergeret, the annual New York G & S Players stand will serve up a pair of its classics. “The Pirates of Penzance” (Dec. 27-31) and “Patience” (Jan. 3-5) will ring the rafters with good cheer at Symphony Space. Check out the road to hilarious heroes, clever maidens and “happily ever after” at NYGASP.org. Tickets now, including “Grandparents Day” and the annual New Year’s Eve Gala at (212) 864-5400. (Broadway at 95th Street) Joy to — and for the world!