Many playwrights under 30 share stylistic and thematic preoccupations. Borrowing from films like “Pulp Fiction,” young writers often experiment radically with language, narrative and other elements of form. So-called Gen X writers grew up steeped in popular culture–and their often nihilistic output is too busy refuting the rules of traditional dramaturgy to try to follow them.
But judging from “The Boarding House,” receiving a very engaging world premiere at the Next Theatre in Evanston, Ann Noble Massey either grew old prematurely or is determined to ply her trade under a different value system.
Massey’s play is a proudly old-fashioned piece of realism, set at the close of World War II, that comes complete with all the strengths and limitations of the genre. It is accessible, romantic, passionate, intelligent, lyrical and, occasionally, contrived and overblown.
But whoever taught this talented young writer (“And Neither Have I Wings to Fly”) how to construct a plot should be proud. “The Boarding House” may not be radical theatrical invention, but it’s a rippling and superbly constructed yarn that won over Saturday night’s audience.
Set entirely on the ground floor of a Boston boarding house, Noble Massey introduces Imogen and Sylvia, the two youngish women who run the place, and Lilah and Mr. John, their long-term boarders. The equilibrium is upset by the arrival of boarder Paul (Guy Massey), an awkward fellow on a personal mission to find the man who jilted his sister in Chicago. Meanwhile, we are also wondering what has happened to Dell (Coby Goss), the missing soldier who happens to be Imogen’s brother and Sylvia’s husband.
Assuming you can get past one big coincidence, the play unfolds cleverly. And thanks to some terrific acting in Sarah Tucker’s premiere production, we become emotionally involved with these familiar but nonetheless appealing war-time characters.
Molly Glynn Hammond and Natasha Lowe are excellent as two very different women ripped apart by the same man. And there’s also a thoughtful performance from John Judd as a professor fighting back his love for the married Sylvia. Guy Massey is broader as Paul but gives the show zest and energy.
Lilah, unmarried and desperate, is an unfortunate stereotype that Laura Jones Macknin cannot entirely flesh out. And Goss struggles at times with Dell, a man ravaged by war and ultimately the least convincing character.
But “The Boarding House” is a play with palpable warmth and humanity. It’s long been clear Noble Massey can construct an engaging drama. Hopefully, she’ll stretch herself further to refine her artistic voice.
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“The Boarding House”
When: Through Dec. 18
Where: Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston
Phone: 847-475-1875
