Theater Review: 'The Bridge Club' at Deaf West Theatre

At the intersection of fiction and reality lies genius.

Such genius is now on display in the Simon Productions’ staging of the West Coast Premiere of The Bridge Club at in the NoHo Arts District through May 12.

Revolving around the reputation and history that San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge has for suicide attempts, this story of a man in his late 30s and a mouthy young woman who meet on the bridge as they are planning to jump to their deaths straddles fantasy and contemporary psychology while operating as a metaphor for suffering and the courage to bear it.

At the heart of the play are the choices and decisions we make in our lives that sometimes force us to confront our mortality. The people we take on or subtract from our life’s journies often affect how, why, and, ultimately, if we live.

So, this play challenges us to question not only our humanity, but our strength and will as well. It also affords the chance to see the larger picture of man versus machine, and the role commerce and technology are playing in today’s world.

The play is, in affect, a litmus test for our existence, our very lives.

d’s writing is deft, humble and haunting. His is a gift that wraps itself around human longing and need with a substance and style that not only make theatre-goers sit up and take notice, but question the validity of suicide.

Mike Sabatino’s direction is crisp, free-flowing and allows the actors to react and respond naturally within the confines of the play.

Christopher Franciosa (Jack) is convincing and agile, but his mannerisms get in the way of fully realizing his character’s potential.

Nancy Dobbs Owen (Sue) is nothing short of brilliant in a refreshing, naturalistic and emotionally naked turn.

Shelly Kurtz (Harold) is warm, personable and charming. Vesna Tolomanoska (Ginny) has a spiritual and passionate quality that gives her character a completeness rare on Los Angeles stages these days. But it is American Academy of Dramatic Arts’ alumnus Andrew Villarreal (Sebastian) who steals the play with a hilarious yet telling performance that makes you laugh while you think.

In the end, this play does what is sets-out to do: give everyone in the theater solace in their own reality, and the ultimate conclusion that every moment from here on out is up to them.

The Bridge Club, which was first staged at The Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia in May of 2011, has found a welcome new home in Los Angeles.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Deaf West Theatre

5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601

General Admission: $25

Tickets/Information: (323) 960-7711