And it started so well... "Close Up Space" opens with a simply sublime monologue that had me in stitches, in no small part because it dangerously reminded me of toiling under a similar writing editor who didn't much like Oxford commas either. It's a pity Molly Smith Metzler didn't stop at this point because it's all downhill from here.
"Close Up Space" isn't funny enough and isn't nearly moving enough mostly because it doesn't really add up. We first meet Paul, a sharp book editor with a razor sharp tongue, scaring the bejesus out of an unsuspecting writing intern. His wife died several years ago, he's lost control of his daughter and as the play progresses his life unravels not dissimilarly to how the play's connection to reality unravels. Thanks to David Hyde Pierce, the character of Paul just about works. The same cannot be said of any of the other characters.
The entry of Paul's daughter, Harper, as she barges her way into his office spouting Russian and brandishing snowballs, is the point where the show loses all credibility. The various relationships do not stack up and every character but Paul slips into caricature. Colby Minifie's Harper never quite recovers from her daft start but she sells the more humorous elements well. We also get a ballsy female author, wickedly played by Rosie Perez, and a dopey office boy, Michael Chernus who doesn't manage much, neither of whom come close to entering the 3rd dimension. The play becomes rudderless, grasping at ideas that can't work because the characters don't.
With solid visual design and capable performances, "Close Up Space" seldom bores. It doesn't really work as a piece of drama however, you'll neither laugh nor cry. New plays are always a gamble and Metzler's effort is far from a crash and burn, but it's a long way from a success as well.
(Review of Performance on Friday, January 20th, 2012 at the New York City Center Stage 1)
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