Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
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Cooper, Cooper
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
The search for love may well be the most popular theme in the arts. And the 1987 Terrence McNally play, now in revival at the Hudson Mainstage, starring Lisa Lee Cooper and Darin Cooper (unrelated), and directed by Silas Weir Mitchell, offers two hours of wisdom, pathos, and hilarity while portraying that search.
At the first moment we meet these two middle-aged people, they are in bed enjoying each other in a spirited, raucous romp. When the lights come up, they emerge from bed, now hungry for food. Johnny reminds Frankie that "You see a person better in the afterglow." She retorts that "Lovemaking is f----d when you really don't know each other!" At that point, the discovery begins; the defenses come into play; the fears, worries, doubts, and suspicions take over and it's "en-garde" all over again.
At this point, McNally's cleverness and wit break through, especially in the capable hands of the Coopers: It's feisty Frankie vs. Jumpin' Johnny!
Every aspect of the play is handled with care. Mitchell's direction is crisply motivated to keep the leads moving about the small, threadbare apartment with rambunctiousness as they make their alternate stances of adoration, frustration, and intimidation. They spar with each other about their lives, loves, and bad choices. Brandon Baruch's lighting is excellent as the scene moves from total darkness to the arrival of morning. David Offner's sparse set is New York inspired and depicts the waitress, Frankie, in her proper setting. John Zalewski's creation of Debussy's lovely music emanating from the radio is as clear as "Clair" can be. The play is associate produced by Larry Moss, the long time teacher of the two actors.
The final scene brings the morning and the possibility of these two damaged people finding love and a life together. This unlikely love story has been revived many times, and the Coopers play beautifully off each other. The chemistry of a short-order cook, who has spent time in prison and has been divorced, with an overweight, defensive waitress, coming from an abusive relationship, can be the stuff of which happily-ever-after is made.
One faux pas perhaps picked up by some: Johnny asks Frankie to turn the radio to station KCC. In New York, all stations begin with a "W";"K" is reserved for stations West of the Mississippi.
Frankie and Johnny In The Clair De Lune Hudson Mainstage 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood 90038
Tel. 323-960-7863 Thursday - Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 7:00 p.m.; Tickets: $20
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