'Stay'

There can be no real future until one comes to terms with the past, as Lucy Thurber explains in the world premiere of her magical comedy/drama Stay.

Rachel (Maggie Siff), a writer, has a unique talent for "reading" people; i.e. touching them and looking deep inside their souls and seeing the happiness, suffering and secrets therein. It's an ability she picked up during an abusive childhood, aided perhaps by a mysterious muse/angel (Jenny Maguire) who only Rachel can see. Rachel and her brother Billy (Thomas Sadoski) still feel the pain of those events, which they keep tightly bottled up inside.

Calling herself a writer of "make-believe," Rachel is thrown for a loop when she meets Julia (Jess Weixler,) a young woman who displays the same gift for insight she has, but without any guidelines on how to use it. Sensing a kindred soul, Julia tries to read Rachel's innermost secrets, despite her protests.

But when Julia keeps pushing, Rachel's rage, anger and hurt comes spilling out—forcing her and Billy (who have both been demonstrating the abusive tendencies of their father) to face what has come before in the hope they might finally be able to put it behind them.

What appears at first to be a rather pedestrian or sitcom sort of piece, is in actuality an intricately plotted work and, despite the violent attributes and painful lessons, surprisingly touching and gentle. The power of the text is such that it allows each character to slowly come alive, thus arousing sympathy and understanding for these people, some of whom appear to be total losers or flakes when we first see them.

This is especially true of Tommy (Sam Rosen,) Julia's seemingly airhead boyfriend, who is willing to be "pathetic" at times in the name of love. Strong direction by Jackson Gay also keeps things tightly focused.

Combining elements of the fantastic with grim reality, Ms. Thurber has fashioned a sturdy and moving vehicle and one which should have a life far beyond this initial Off-Broadway run.

Stay
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
224 Waverly Place
Tickets: 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com

Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication THE STAGE.