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SECRETS OF THE TRADE Send This Review to a Friend
One of the excitements of going to the theater is to be present when a superb new play is unfurled. The presentation of “Secrets of the Trade” by Primary Stages is just such a happy occasion. The writing by Jonathan Tolins is sharp and penetrating, at times hilarious but also deeply serious, all brimming with wit. Director Matt Shakman’s staging is wonderfully inventive, and the cast is absolutely terrific.
The action occurs between 1980 and 1990, taking place in New York, California, and Massachusetts, but on a tiny stage. Since much of the action concerns the theater, a few background marquis signs are all set designer Mark Worthington requires to remind us of Broadway.
Noah Robbins gives a memorable, energetic and deeply felt performance as Andy Lipman, a stage-struck teenager who is smart, eager and intense as he passionately desires to have a career in the theater built upon his already demonstrated flair in school productions. He is really a handful, this kid who has idolized a renowned director, Martin Kerner, and has the balls to write him a fan letter that he hopes will at least be read, and perhaps get him an introduction. Andy’s parents, deftly played by Amy Aquino and Mark Nelson, are supportive, possessive and protective in having to deal with the unusual son on their hands. Robbins looks and acts as if he were a budding Woody Allen.
John Glover gives a brilliant performance as the larger-than-life, dynamic Kerner, who gets a kick out being idolized, and arrogantly dispenses advice while also keeping those he advises at bay. He spouts his supposedly worldly wisdom, raising hopes but not delivering much more than words. Yet his observations can also be helpful. Such is the tone of the relationship that ensues after the impressionable Andy gets to meet Kerner, who periodically sees Andy as he progresses through college.The relationship becomes fraught with frustrations for Andy, who would like concrete help in getting work in the theater.
Kerner, who is gay, recognizes homosexuality in Andy before Andy firmly discovers this about himself and pours out his feelings to Kerner about a relationship he has found. Kerner encourages Andy to be himself and not let anything or anyone deter him. As serious as the subject becomes, the playwright makes consideration of how Andy can tell his parents that he is gay extremely funny and the staging is wonderfully inventive. Of course, Andy’s parents have had suspicions all along.
The play gets increasingly complex. Andy’s mother, frustrated in seeing Kerner have more influence over her son than she has, suspects there is more between them. A teacher who once harbored show biz ambitions and even auditioned for Kerner, she feels her influence over students slipping away, all of which feeds her dissatisfactions. As the drama deepens, sometimes getting a bit too all-embracing, Andy rebels against Kerner as Andy’s own frustrations mount. And what about Kerner’s own future?
There is a sensitive, humorous, performance by Bill Brochtrup as Kerner’s all-wise. long time assistant and gate-keeper Bradley.
What is amazing about the work is how entertaining, clever and amusing it is while pumping insight into such heady subjects as the theater, novice-mentor relationships, parental problems with each other and with a gifted son, homosexuality and coming to terms with it, career potential and disappointment and the myriad problems that surface along the way. As a story with a revealing group of character studies, “Secrets of the Trade” is steadily engrossing. And all of it is enhanced by so many funny and perceptive lines that induce bursts of laughter and recognition of truths via performances that add up to admirable ensemble acting well worth cheering. At 59E59 Theaters, 59 East 59th Street, $60. Phone: 212-279-4200.
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