It's easy to lose faith these days. It's true. You turn on the TV and are inundated with a barrage of injustices and strife. And the last year in particular was one that at times caused a questioning of beliefs. Sometimes though, it takes something even a little more personal to send you over the edge. For instance, the betrayal of love, a human fundamental, can really send a person into a sea of despair.
And so, we come upon Annie Wilson, the main character of In Tandem Theatre's 2002-2003 opening season premiere, "Apartment 3A." Annie (Beth Johnstone-Bush), who works for public broadcasting, is beginning to feel as though she "cares too much," about her often ignored station offering worthwhile programming, and more importantly, about a world that just doesn't seem to care anymore. All of this, and Wilson must contend with the added stress of moving into a new apartment with a crummy view, after catching the love of her life with another woman.
{INSERT_RELATED}Annie finds herself alone, without faith, and crying out for some proof that the world is not really the cold and lonely place where she currently finds herself. Enter Annie's mysterious "3B" neighbor, Donald (Tom Bruno). Unabashed, and a little pushy, Donald conveys his purely platonic wishes to get to know his new neighbor and maybe offer a shoulder to cry on.
Reluctantly at first, Annie allows Donald to become her friend and begins to share with him her deepest thoughts and fears. Donald offers insight and talks incessantly about his wife, the love of his life, who unfortunately travels frequently with her career and is presently in Rome.
Annie dives back into work, using a hilarious "means justifying the ends" technique to plead with the television audience during telethons to send money. She then tosses aside a romantic proposal from a nice, self-effacing male colleague and friend, Elliot (Brent Hazelton), citing that he is simply not her type.
After confiding in Donald, though, Annie decides to reconsider this prospect and accepts Elliot's offer for lunch. Annie enters into the date kicking and screaming, throwing out all of the excuses she can think of (I mean he is Catholic after all), and subconsciously tries to sabotage the budding relationship.
Annie is afraid, and she's falling in love. But the new men in her life help her to come to grips with what is real, what it means to believe in something, how letting go is the first step in having faith and maybe even that miracles do not necessarily have to be of the conventional variety.
Skylight Opera regular, Beth Johnstone-Bush's performance is seamless and at times, hilariously courageous, especially, ahem, during the "climactic" scene in the second act (definitely gives Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally" a run for her money). The rest of the small but powerful cast, including seasoned Milwaukee actors, Brent Hazelton and Tom Bruno, offer genuine, thoughtful and powerful performances. A job well done and worth seeing.
"Apartment 3A" is an undeniably applicable modern tale and gives an intimate view to the inner voice of many unsaid thoughts in a society of incredible love, and incredible loss. Written by famous film actor, Jeff Daniels, "Apartment 3A" incorporates humor and defies the conventions of space and time, keeping the audience entranced, surprised and entertained throughout.
The two-hour show with one 15-minute intermission seems to fly by with the constant narrative action on the stage. "Apartment 3A" runs through Sun., Oct. 6 at In Tandem Theatre's new permanent residence in the Walker's Point Center for the Arts, located at 911 W, National Ave. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for students, seniors and groups. Call (414) 444-2316 for reservations and information.
