NEW YORK—Judi L. Komaki's provocative play, If Truth Be Known, poses as many questions as it answers. That is part of its interest.
Set in Washington, DC during the Reagan administration, in the early 80s, the attractive Max Kjellin (Lydia Gaston), a very female, third-generation Japanese-American, is having a serious affair with attorney Philip T. Clark, IV (James Patrick Earley), scion of an old American family. But the couple is experiencing unusual problems. Philip, a Vietnam vet, often awakes with nightmares when the two are in bed together.
In addition, both have been married before and thus are cautious about entering a permanent relationship. Other elements are introduced by Max's aunt Jane (with director Christine Simpson stepping in for Constance Boardman the night I saw the show), an art history major visiting Max from California. Jane is presently doing a project on Maya Lin, the architect for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC.
Something always seems to be getting in the way of Max and Philip coming to a firm understanding in their relationship. A tentativeness in Phil's attitude seems to mar things. Max suspects something happened during the war that Phil is reluctant to deal with. Could he have killed a civilian, possibly a Vietnamese woman, possibly someone who reminded him of Max in appearance?
Phil skitters away from the issue. But Max and her aunt discuss how certain Vietnam vets were against Maya Lin getting the commission to design the memorial—because she was Chinese, and looked like a "gook."
There are no easy answers and the play ends ambiguously; perhaps that's the most honest way it could have ended.
Director Christine Simpson has effectively explored the complexity of the play, with good support from the actors. Blue Heron Theatre, now in its l9th year, is to be congratulated for selecting plays with thought-provoking content.
If Truth Be Known
ArcLight Theater
152 West 71st Street
Tickets: (212) 868-4444, or www.smarttix.com
Closed June 24
Diana Barth writes and publishes New Millennium, a monthly arts newsletter.
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