NEW YORK—In Morris Panych’s two-hander “Vigil,” Grace (Helen Stenborg), an elderly, presumably dying woman, is visited by her bachelor nephew Kemp (Malcolm Gets), a middle-aged bank drudge. He has quit his job to come and care for Grace, whom he hasn’t seen for 30 years, after receiving a letter from her saying that she is dying.
However, part of the appeal for Kemp is that he is willing to see Grace through her final days only if they don’t last too long. He plans to cash in on what he hopes will be a sizable sum of money. But although Grace is bedridden and haggard, there is a certain spryness in what little movement she displays and a glint in her eye that implies that she doesn’t plan to go anywhere soon.
Grace mostly listens to Kemp talk. And talk he does, in his sour and bitter way, about past injustices people have paid him. In fact, the play is close to being a monologue for the role of Kemp, and actor Gets does a fine job of it. It’s commendable that the actor never gets on our nerves playing a consistently unpleasant character.
The quiet Grace of Helen Stenborg holds our attention and gets some major laughs, as this actress has the ability to strongly project her reactions to what Kemp is saying to her.
What happens over time with this pair is that they seem to be becoming fond of one another, much against their will. At one point Kemp seems to be serving Grace poisoned food, but quickly thinks better of it and withdraws it from her reach.
Seasons pass as evidenced by the changing weather conditions glimpsed outside the dingy windows. (Set designer Andromache Chalfant has produced just the right kind of drab but somehow charming set with a couple of vintage hats draped about.) In fact, it gets to be Christmas, and one of the pair creates a nutty contraption to welcome in St. Nick.
The style of the play would be best termed as a black comedy; it’s a bit weird, unusual, and unexpectedly funny. But it changes as it goes along. It builds to an inner depth as these two somewhat lost people come to realize their essential aloneness. And by the end, the play exudes a mix of seriousness and a little sadness without ever being cloying.
Director Stephen DiMenna has the right kind of handle on this ultimately complex and subtle play, with a nice understanding of its tone. Costumes by Ilona Somogyi are absolutely appropriate and Ed McCarthy’s lighting lends the right kind of sad winter note when needed.
In sum, a warm, engaging evening in the theater.
Vigil
DR2 Theater
103 East 15th St.
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Closes: Nov. 29
Diana Barth writes and publishes “New Millennium,” an arts newsletter. For information: diabarth@juno.com.
