NEW YORK—“Two is stronger than one” is a phrase repeated more than once in John Patrick Shanley’s new play “Brooklyn Laundry,” having its world premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club. However, this premise only holds true if the two people in question are willing to move in the same direction.
The story begins in said laundry (kudos to Santo Loquasto for his very realistic set), where the only things missing are the odors of detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. The drop-off laundry is run by Owen (David Zayas), a laid-back sort who, as we find out, was able to quit his job in the corporate world and become his own boss. But the exact circumstances of how Owen got to where he is today isn’t a path everyone should follow: It involved an accident, two lawsuits, and had other far more personal repercussions.
For Owen, this particular work day changes when Fran Costello (Cecily Strong) walks in, looking somewhat harried—“gloomy” is the word Owen uses. Fran is one of those people with too many things to do and far too little time in which to do them. Right now, she just wants to know how much it will cost to get her laundry done and when she can pick it up.
Yet Owen, who perhaps sees in Fran the person he used to be, tries to engage her in conversation. Topics covered include depression, the importance of Arm & Hammer detergent, and if Fran wants to pick up her dry cleaning. Despite her initial annoyance, Fran can’t help but respond to Owen’s friendly banter, which leads to the possibility of a future dinner date.
As we soon learn, Fran is cautious about letting anyone get too close. The youngest of three sisters, and the only one not married with children, Fran has not had a boyfriend in for some time. She has lost her mother to cancer and is on her way to visit Trish (Florencia Lozano), her terminally ill sibling who sees things far more clearly than Fran ever has.
Can We Foretell Happiness?
“Brooklyn Laundry” examines the choices one faces: How can you know if what you choose will be altogether wonderful or a complete disaster? It’s a situation that Trish and Fran’s other sister, Susie (Andrea Syglowski), have experienced. Yet it’s through them that Fran realizes the importance of grabbing happiness whenever and wherever she finds it. Also stressed, particularly by Trish, is the importance of getting out and living your own life, because if you don’t, it can all be gone before you know it.
The best part about playwright Mr. Shanley’s writing is how he creates characters and situations that feel so completely real and that draw out our empathy. We wonder, until the very last moment, if Fran and Owen will be able to make things work. As director, Mr. Shanley seamlessly juggles the poignant scenes with Fran and her sisters with the playful banter, humor, and sometimes awkward moments between Fran and Owen.
Mr. Zayas portrays Owen’s nuances well. Despite the character’s seemingly ordered life and common sense attitude, particularly when it comes to raising children, he is actually (as Fran points out) a closet romantic. He wants a relationship filled with fireworks, passion, and a happy ending, but may not be prepared for the realities that often emerge.
Ms. Strong perfectly embodies Fran as a woman exhausted by all the emotional responsibilities heaped on her. While unhappy with her life, she begins to come out of her shell thanks to Owen, and she learns how to stake out her own middle ground, one different from the paths her sisters have chosen. Fran also has denial issues, which becomes particularly evident in her conversations with Trish, and to a lesser degree, with Susie.
Ms. Lozano portrays Trish as someone who looks at life as a glass half-full despite her adversity. Ms. Syglowski, as Susie, is more highly strung, and she sees her cup as half-empty and draining fast.
“Brooklyn Laundry” is a play about what happens when romance meets reality and how, if you find someone willing to take a leap of faith with you, happiness can be yours for the taking, as long as you can keep yourself grounded enough to handle whatever may suddenly come your way.
