Jared Watson and StageCenter have given the audience the ability to stretch toward a less-than-happy tale in The Lyons, which opened last night at Central Artstation, 801 Crockett St. in downtown Shreveport.
It opens hilariously, borne by the unsavory language between the father (Jim Cowles), dying of cancer, and the mother (Earleen Bergeron), who is baldly planning on a new life after husband’s death. But the The Lyons, a play by veteran writer Nicky Silver, has a downward arc that explores family dysfunction in a way that is eventually delirious.
Watson, Seth Taylor, and Connor Snow have transformed the utilitarian Artstation. Set mostly in a hospital room, the design takes the audience entirely away from the Artstation block. When a secondary scene unfolds, set in a Manhattan loft, the StageCenter metamorphosis of the setting becomes remarkable.
Daniel Salazar takes the very difficult character of the son and makes it bearable. Likewise, the energy of Logan Sledge and the tragic flutter portrayed by Mary Kate McLaurine bring relief to their portrayals of seriously problematic characters.
The Lyons’ subtitle is “a savage comedy.” That’s not overstated.
Recommended for those who appreciate a side-eyed view of malfunctional American families.
See it on Fri, Feb 2. or Sat, Feb 3, at 7: 30 pm. Final performance: Sun, Feb 4 at 2 pm.
About 2 hours; one intermission.
Shreveport Regional Arts Center’s Central Artstation,
801 Crockett St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
$18.00 – Adults & Seniors | $15.00 Students (in advance)
218-9978 or stagecenterla@gmail.com.