What do jars of memories, a talking wall, a Cheetos eating golem, and a floating fiancé all have in common? Well, if you’ve been to the Moxie lately, the riddle isn’t tricky. All somehow make their way into the plot of playwright Lauren Yee’s play “A Man, His Wife, and His Hat.”
These are mostly peripheral, interesting elements, however, and the crux of the play has to do with Hetchman, an old curmudgeon who has lost his hat…and his wife.
Simplistic as it sounds, the plot weaves together a woman (simply named Voice), who is learning the story of Hetchman, his wife, his hat, and his friend Meckel, from letters given to Voice by her (sometimes) friendly talking wall. Somehow what Voice learns begins to affect her relationship with her fiancé Gabe, who Voice feels she cannot love; she is simply not capable. This mirrors Hetchman, whose life of couch potato-ing (actually, chair potato-ing) and crab apple behavior makes him someone who also seems incapable of love. As we learn that Voice and her relationship with Hetchman and wife is not as distant as we once thought, things begin to make sense. Sort of.
Dancing between reality and fantasia, “A Man, His Wife, and His Hat” is one part dream world, two parts emotion, all fused together with sometimes over explanatory writing by the obviously talented Yee. Directed by Janet Hayatshahi, it was Artistic Director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg who felt the need to bring the piece to Moxie audiences, switching around the current season to fit the piece in.
The Moxies have once again brought in excellent talent. I am particularly drawn to Hetchman’s Wife; the character touches me with her need for more and her sheer resiliency after years of enduring marital strife—played by the captivating Robin Christ. Hetchman also entertains, especially with the child-like whimsy he exudes during his dances with his hat; actor Mark C. Petrich skillfully channels apathy and the makings of an uninspired life as hat maker Hetchman. And Fred Harlow (who I pretty much love in anything he does) as the dedicated simpleton neighbor, plays patient well, aligning himself with his slovenly neighbor out of duty. Voice, played by Moxie founder Jennifer Eve Thorn, isn’t allowed a real range of emotion for the majority of the piece, but moves me to tears as she narrates the last moments of the play. Jo Anne Glover’s Wall role is a difficult one as it her voice over projection, but she manages quite a few chuckles throughout. We do not see much from the fiancé, Gabe (Albert Park), but plays his wee role simply and capably, as does Lily Kelting as the Golem.
Moxie always shines with sets, and with the new money for the lighting board they were able to raise, were able to add multiple spaces and places to the story through lighting design—as well as give life to the wall through its silly yet commanding nature. Kudos to the set designer Victoria Petrovich and her choice to make the middle of the set slightly raised; not only did it aide the audience in viewing the chair where Hetchman occupies his time, but when the wife walked, she struggled a bit to keep balance—effective in displaying her plight as the wife whose name her husband cannot even remember for the majority of the play.
This being said…I just don’t know if I love it. I’m interested, I’m captivated, but I just don’t know if it hits me hard enough to remember “Hat” in years to come. I’m not sure if this brand of make believe suits me—which is fine. That being said, it’s just the right amount of eccentricity and will hopefully expand horizons for audiences who don’t see much outside of the realm of traditional comedies and dramas.
“Hat” also makes me want to see more of Yee’s work; I’m particularly supportive as she’ll be obtaining a masters degree from UCSD’s theater program.
Moxie is already a staple; I’ll be there to see the comedy “Coming Attractions” by Zsa Zsa Gershick, the last show of their season, when it opens May 25.
“A Man, His Wife, and His Hat”
3/30-4/29
Moxie Theatre
6663 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, 92115
858-598-7620
www.moxietheatre.org
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