THEATER REVIEW
“Lillian Likes It”
Grade: B+
Through Aug. 23 (in rotating repertory with "The Old Ship of Zion"). 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 3); 8 p.m. Saturdays (Aug. 8 and 22); 2 p.m. Sundays (Aug. 9 and 23); 8 p.m. Friday (Aug. 14); 7 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 16); 8 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 19); 8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 20). $10-$25. West End Performing Arts Center, 945 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-212-0815, www.essentialtheatre.com.
Bottom line: Pretty nifty.
Take it from an old square who couldn't tweet or Skype to save his life, who barely knows a hashtag from a BuzzFeed. Aside from the fact that it's so hip and clever, one of the biggest delights about Essential Theatre's high-tech rom-com "Lillian Likes It" is just how funny and appealing it really is, regardless of whether you're in or out of touch with this modern age of newfangled computer systems, mobile devices and so-called social networks.
With a nod to both George Orwell and Margaret Atwood, the plucky Lillian happens upon a state-of-the-art online dating site, very aptly named Lazarus. Jeopardizing a romance in the real world with her fiance, she fabricates a profile based on a recently deceased secret admirer she never knew she had — and the surreal Lazarus program takes over from there. Suffice it to say, before long, Lillian’s updating her Facebook status from “engaged” to “it’s complicated.”
Penned by Conyers native Joshua Mikel, the likable “Lillian” is this year’s winner of Essential’s Georgia playwriting award, and one of two premieres in the company’s annual summer play festival. It alternates performances with “The Old Ship of Zion” (by Columbus-based Natalia Naman) through Aug. 23 at the West End Performing Arts Center.
Under the sharp and brisk direction of Shannon Eubanks, a veritable Greek chorus of texters often surrounds Lillian, routinely voicing a litany of Facebook “likes” here or an occasional “Lillian unfriends” there, depending on the character’s circumstances. In addition to a running dig at Farmville requests, there’s also at least one memorable mention of a smiley emoticon.
Alyssa Caputo’s natural warmth and sweetness in the title role keep the far-fetched premise in reasonable check. As her living and dead love interests (and the latter’s twin brother), respectively, Tyler Hayes and Ben Silver provide winning support.
Elsewhere in the ensemble, Christine Vozniak shines as her vacuous best friend, as does Pat Young as Lillian’s surly coffee-shop co-worker. Most amusingly, from behind one of two large transparent computer screens that flank the stage, Antonia LaChe periodically embodies an automated prompter on the Lazarus website.
The set and lighting designs are by Harley Gould. Sound designer Rial Ellsworth creates an uncommonly detailed score of iPhone-y bells and whistles. One “totally awesome” scene involves a new-age Hawaiian wake, colorfully costumed by Jane B. Kroessig.
Giving Mikel’s trendy comedy an even spunkier edge are a few up-to-the-minute barbs about the Confederate flag controversy, Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and “our current gender climate” (without referencing anyone in particular, ahem).
“Lillian Likes It” slows down a bit during its second act, basically struggling to explain the unexplainable, if not trying to deliver some serious message about the impersonal downside to online interaction.
Otherwise, however, like the show on Facebook and follow it on Twitter — or whatever it is that people are doing these days.
