“None of the Above” by Jenny Lyn Bader
December 6th, 2007
Jenny Lyn Bader is one of our best contemporary playwrights. Her newest effort, None of the Above, just completed a six-week run at the Lion Theatre on Theatre Row in Manhattan.
Describing Jenny Lyn’s work as witty, literary, and hip is a good beginning, but even more compelling is the depth of her understanding of the human heart. Jenny Lyn’s characters are seekers of truth and beauty, engaged in an ongoing quest for authentic personal relationships, honest communication, and the elusive grail of love.
The setup for None of the Above involves classic Bader misdirection and unfulfilled expectations. A nubile high school senior is expecting the arrival of her drug connection. The young man who appears is, in fact, her brand-new SAT tutor, hired by her father in a last-ditch effort to get his daughter into Princeton. Confusion, hilarity, and multiple-choice questions ensue.
Halley Feiffer plays Jamie with great freedom, athleticism, and exuberance. She personifies teen-age bursting-at-the-seams energy in a high-octane performance. The actress is presented with many difficulties in the depiction of a complicated 16-year-old, and she succeeds brilliantly in a brave, inventive performance.
None of the Above is an entertaining, enjoyable evening at the theater. Literary allusions, plays on words, and thought-provoking dialogue abound. We eagerly look forward to Jenny Lyn Bader’s next show.
Entry Filed under: Theater
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