ADVERTISEMENT

    Theater Review: Abbey Theater of Dublin Presents World Premiere of Charming ‘A Yankee Goes Home’

    In the last few years, the Abbey Theater of Dublin has arrived as a signature venue for brand-new work by Columbus writers. They’ve also presented work by farther-flung artists, taking it to another level with a delightful world premiere of A Yankee Goes Home by Irish-born writer Sean Cooney, directed with empathy and charm by Joe Bishara.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    A Yankee Goes Home finds longtime NYPD cop and Bronx resident Flinter Flynn (Matthew Moore), on the roof of his apartment overlooking the old Yankee Stadium lot, battling demons – given a personification in a hallucination of a figure of both idolization and antagonism for many, if not most, Yankee fans, George “Baseball” (Robert Cooperman) – that accelerated after his first responder duties in 9/11 and the suicide he can’t bring himself to believe of his beloved partner.

    Flinter’s fight is bolstered by his wife Becky (Alyssa Ryan), a visit from his daughter Grace (Grace Emmenegger-Conrad) and her boyfriend Red Sox Sam (Charles Easley), and a long-time younger cop he thinks of like a son, Righty Mills (Jeff White).

    Cooney’s play feels like a love letter – a nice tonic to the terror of change that grips so much of media – to the shifting demographics of the Bronx in the later 20th century, and the ways we all come alive in connection with other people. At its very best, it’s a fantasia and a towering act of love imbued with an organic, glowing sweetness.

    Alyssa Ryan (Becky Flynn), Matthew Moore (Flinter Flynn) and Grace Emmenegger-Conrad (Grace Flynn) - Photo by Joe Bishara, Abbey Theater
    Alyssa Ryan (Becky Flynn), Matthew Moore (Flinter Flynn) and Grace Emmenegger-Conrad (Grace Flynn) – Photo by Joe Bishara, Abbey Theater

    Those high points soar through the terrific cast assembled. There’s an understated, vibrating chemistry between Ryan and Moore. The moments where Ryan’s Becky lets the guard drop and her positivity flag, in conversation with their daughter, have the perfect punch-in-the-gut quality they need; a performance that reminds us that happiness and optimism are choices and require work but never loses sight of the way they unlock joy. Moore has a nice edge to his portrayal of Flynn, never making the character too cuddly; this helps the character’s evolution come alive, and his road back to synthesis feels more organic even when the script takes a few pat shortcuts.

    Cooperman’s alternately avuncular and acerbic George Baseball is a delightful burlesque of not only the specific historical character but an iconic era of New Yorkers. The push and pull between Cooperman and Moore is a jolt of electricity that enhances the themes but also keeps the show from drifting into soft focus. Emmenegger-Conrad’s sibling chemistry with White’s indomitable pitcher and cop, recovering from an injury that could sideline both jobs, and her partner Easley, help make the world of the play feel more three-dimensional.

    A Yankee Goes Home stumbles when it tries to get plot-heavy, and the tone becomes unbalanced. It attempts to put some rules around the magic realism elements of George Baseball that are both self-contradictory and diminish some of the piece’s fantasia-like luster. The “investigation” into the partner’s suicide also feels like underlining, cheaper feelings than the rest of the play digs into.

    Bishara’s direction lets the actors breathe; his production has a humming energy befitting the setting – subtly evoked by a sparse rooftop stage and a towering projection behind them – but never feels rushed. He makes the most out of some dazzling opportunities for the metaphor to bloom into life, flying baseballs and heavenly light.

    A Yankee Goes Home isn’t a perfect play, but it heralds an interesting voice, is rich with a real sense of place and love for people, and stands as the kind of work I’m thrilled the Abbey Theater of Dublin brings to us.

    A Yankee Goes Home runs through April 23 at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, with performances at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets and more information, visit dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater.

    Jeff White (Righty) and Matthew Moore (Flinter Flynn) - Photo by Joe Bishara, Abbey Theater
    Jeff White (Righty) and Matthew Moore (Flinter Flynn) – Photo by Joe Bishara, Abbey Theater
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Coast Wine House Expanding with Restaurant Gene’s

    Patrons of Historic Dublin's Coast Wine House had one...

    Theater Review: The Contemporary’s Moving ‘Skeleton Crew’

    The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio continues its 2023-24 season...
    Richard Sanford
    Richard Sanfordhttp://sanfordspeaks.blogspot.com/
    Richard Sanford is a freelance contributor to Columbus Underground covering the city's vibrant theatre scene. You can find him seeking inspiration at a variety of bars, concert halls, performance spaces, museums and galleries.
    ADVERTISEMENT