On your way into the auditorium to see MCC’s Table 17 you may notice a sign on the wall quoting the playwright, Douglas Lyons, explaining his inspiration for the work. He referred to the “Black romcom cinema” of the 90’s and 2000’s as a thrilling movement that “permeated” his childhood. Sure enough, the play features a cast of endearingly quirky characters engaged in a romantic duel with sprinklings of humor amid the pathos of love lost and found. And I must say, Lyons and his terrific company did one better than the old romcoms. Table 17 is a deliciously heartfelt study of an ex-couple that’s as funny as it is profound.
The intimate three-hander begins two years after Jada (Kara Young) and Dallas (Biko Eisen-Martin) broke off their engagement. Estranged since then, Dallas, out-of-the-blue, invites Jada to dinner. They’re both nervous and neither has any idea what to expect from their upcoming reunion. At the restaurant they encounter River, a queer, love starved maitre d’ played to cheeky perfection by the incredibly versatile Michael Rishawn. He’s so good, I found it hard to believe his two other roles were played by the same person. Those roles – a cocky bartender described as a “muscle bro”, and a flirtatious straight guy with a smooth tongue – display an incredible range of talent.
Following Jada and Dallas’ initial meeting, the story backs up six years to reveal how they met, their first date, and later, how they fell in love, got engaged and drifted apart. It’s the stuff of romcoms alright but delivered with the kind of nuanced authenticity as only you’d find in a live performance. And props to playwright Lyons who “gets” women as well as men in matters of love.
Kara Young, fresh off her Tony win in Purlie Victorious, is sublime. Her expressive eyes alone speak volumes as she navigates both the comic asides and the raw emotional depth of a woman who won’t admit she’s still carrying a torch for the guy she almost married. Her chemistry with Eisen-Martin is magnetic, capturing both the tenderness, the joy and unresolved pain between them. His Dallas is a passionate guy with a gift for verbal ecstasy, as Jada puts it. Eisen-Martin is most impressive in a performance that shifts from care-free charm to introspective vulnerability.
Director Zhailon Levingston helms the stream-lined production with an assured hand. The 87 minute one-act moves briskly without feeling rushed; and the pacing allows the actors to shine in moments of quiet reflection as well as instances of intense passion.
A refreshing touch features the actors breaking the fourth wall to address the audience, asking, among other things, what they should wear and, more pointedly, seeking relationship advice. It’s a clever device designed to draw us in, and the overall effect makes the characters all the more relatable. Again, special mention to Michael Rishawn whose hysterical commentary and asides almost steal the show thanks to his masterful comic timing.
Jason Sherwood’s understated restaurant setting allows for the action to nicely play out in multiple locations. Devario D. Simmons’ costumes are spot-on, from Jada’s dressed-to-kill entrance outfit to Dallas’ not so “fly” corduroys.
Table 17 is more than a romantic comedy. It’s a rewarding exploration of the complexities of relationships and the mysterious workings of the human heart. But that’s just the half of it. Among all that there is to savor in this wonderful production is the great big bonus of laughter. I can’t guarantee it’ll make for a great date night out but there’s little doubt you’ll end up falling for this poignant and thoroughly entertaining little show.
Table 17 opened September 6, 2024, at the MCC Theater Space and runs through September 29. Tickets and information: mcctheater.org
