Jenny Stafford, the author who wrote “Secret Hour”, is an award-winning playwright, lyricist and book writer. She was also a college professor who taught classes on ethical behavior.
With this play, which is being given its world premiere at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, she melds both talents by creating a wise, perceptive work.
I’ll bet she was one heck of a lecturer. Indeed, some of the play’s best moments are when the character Kate Gordon, alone on stage, speaks to her students. Kate is able to be smart, sassy and totally in command of her subject.
Her talks about the different philosophies between Fredrich Nietzsche and Confucius are both comic and learned. More important, the discussion of how the two philosophical giants differed in the search to a truthful existence are so cleverly presented they are never boring.
Although the play sometimes comes close to being didactic, thankfully it avoids the trap. Instead, it is an enjoyable parable about the search for the authentic life about which Kate teaches.
As with all parables, the plot is simple, until examined. A couple in a long-term relationship seem ideal for each other. Kate is a career-driven ethics professor at a local college and Ben is an unemployed programmer. The only disappointing aspect of their lives is Kate has been unable to become pregnant.
The two are at ease with each other and one reason is the game they play. It is a promise that during a moment of tension each person reveals a silly secret about themselves. The idea is to show they can trust the other, because their partner knows and accepts their minor idiosyncrasies and flaws.
Clearly the relationship can withstand secrets about taste or pronunciation, but the play wonders about what happens when the secret exposes a genuine hardcore lie. Can even a lie for the good of the relationship be tolerated? What about the mortal sin of a lie – deception of self? “Secret Hour” is as much about the issue of lying to yourself as it is keeping hurtful secrets from others.
The success of the play is in the balance playwright Stafford finds in the story. It’s not a spoiler to say the situation is harmful enough that the couple could break up. It is also clear that the pair will overcome the problems if they don’t. They will also survive and live healthy lives if they do.
It’s a true dilemma because it’s no longer an issue of who is right or who is wrong. The decision becomes a choice of doing what is right for yourself.
Thankfully, Stafford leavens what could be a dreary work about truth, right and wrong, and authenticity by adding a lot of humor. Too, it cannot be called a comedy but you will laugh more than at most plays that do call themselves comedies.
Director Margaret Hall serves the balance between laughter and seriousness well. She guides her actors to be reasonable, honest people who are filled with good will towards the other. This honest affection compensates for the lack of suspense in the work. There are surprises that shock the other, but because the relationships are so – dare I say authentic – the drama is all internal. Except for one hurtful fight, these are people who keep their emotions contained.
The cast is excellent. As Kate, Marina Shay is charming, caring and wildly intelligent. She controls her class with the firmness of a good teacher and knows when to bend with Ben as necessary. Though an intellectual, she is also a pragmatist.
Because of Shay’s expert performance, Kate becomes an enchanting individual who craves to be the best person she can be. It’s superior work.
Joshua David Robinson gives a solid portrayal of Ben. He overcomes the nature of a man who is in awe of Kate and in need of an accomplishment for himself. Even though Robinson bestows personal dignity on Ben, the writing of the character needs bolstering. It’s a danger to wonder what this charismatic woman sees in this rather dull, but sincerely nice, individual who is morally flawed.
The comic relief comes from the always present handyman, Leaf. The free-spirited, eccentric loner who lives a life that is in contrast to the couple’s angst. He represents those among us who strive to live an uncluttered life – both emotionally and materialistically. Whit K. Lee is comically low key as he becomes an uninvited but intricate member of the family.
“Secret Hour” might not change your life, but it could. It certainly will provide 90-minutes of enjoyable, thoughtful theater.
“Secret Hour” is at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, through February 19. For schedule and tickets call 518-346-6204 or go to capitalrep.org
Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.
The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.
