December 5, 2015 – Fool for Love at the  Samuel Friedman theatre, home of The Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) written by Sam Shepard (11/05/1943 to present) and directed by Daniel Aukin runs 75 minutes without intermission. Opening Night – October 8, 2015 closing December 13, 2015.

The story of a redneck southern girl, May and her sometimes on sometimes off truck driving boyfriend, Eddie whose relationship is explosive. They tear each other apart both with words as well as physically, bringing in the concept of his other girl and then the presence of Martin, her potential boyfriend. The action takes place in a seedy motel where May has taken up residence. A fourth character – Old man – mostly sits in a chair motionless on stage and becomes the conscious of the fighting couple. Eddie drives a truck and travels the country while Eddie stays behind, wondering if he will return. When he does, everything in paradise is not “peachy”.

Even at 75 minutes, it seems too long! The acting of the two principals is good, but the direction …….! The story itself is be labored and takes twists. Why does one need a seemingly endless silent opening or 10 minutes of rope throwing tricks? There is endless – I’m leaving, no stay, no leave ….. However, the actors, particularly May, do a very credible and excellent portrayal of the “wronged girl” who stays at home waiting for her man, while he is off doing whatever a trucker does! His “rich” girlfriend does not appear on stage, but is in the parking lot in her fancy car, however Martin does make a presence and takes up stage space. The presence of the old man is a total distraction, being silent as the action takes place in the motel room for a long part of the show. When he does speak, there is even more confusion as to why he is on stage at all.

Nina Ariana as May (Venus in Fur [Tony Award], Born Yesterday) does a really good job. Eddie – Sam Rockwell (A Behanding in Spokane, and numerous films and regional theatre) is effective as the trucker. Martin – Tom Pelphery (By the Water, End of the Rainbow, Mauritius) is her possible boyfriend who is weak and finally the Old Man – Gordon Joseph Weiss (Broadway Debut) is a lump on stage and occasionally spouts some lines. Out of town “tryouts” were done at the Williamstown festival.

In summary, thankfully it is a limited run and soon closing, so that the Manhattan Theatre Club can get back to doing fine productions. The one reason to see the play is to watch Ariana’s performance.