Many things make a good production in theatre. When you have a great script, the directing and acting are less important. When you have a stellar cast, the script may be less good and few will notice. When you bring a dramatic and funny script with a brilliant cast and a drector who knows their craft, the result will blow your mind. NJ Repertory Company’s World Premiere production of Michael Tucker’s A Tailor Near Me vibrates with the stuff of life. Get your tickets now, then read why. I’ll wait.
Sam (Richard Kind) walks into a tailor shop to get a suit altered. Okay, let out. He’s gained a little weight. The tailor Alfredo (James Pickens, Jr) gets right to work. He draws Sam into conversation about the why (a friend is terminal, suit needed for funeral) and a small spark ignites. Alfredo is a sculptor, each incisive question revealing a bit more of Sam’s “ago” – what he felt and thought and where he thought he was going when he was a younger man. Sam is intrigued by this skilled artisan and playwright Michael Tucker provides a verbal chiaroscuro portrait with what each man reveals and each man chooses to withhold. And with two great actors where you think you know their work – there is so much more. Pickens’ Alfredo is complicated, urbane and expert at what he does – all with intention. Kind’s Sam experiences an awakening into what his life had become while he wasn’t looking and beginning to see how he could get it back. Their meeting is bashert – meant to be and the combination is genius – actors, playwright, director and production all greater than the sum of the considerable parts.
How does Sam go from a routine suit alteration to a bespoke suit of fine material and even finer craftsmanship? The Devil is in the details, and you got your tickets, yes?
James Grossman and the production team has a small canvas that is as detailed as a Dutch Master painting. The material, thread, sewing machine, changing area – everything is spot on! Special props to Nick Simone, Resident Sound Designer, for the pitch-perfect music throughout – enhancing the experience as much as Jill Nagle’s lighting that has a golden, vintage quality.
Michael Tucker’s gift is in telling stories with dialogue that resonates with the honesty of real speech. Yet, the gifts he gives us in how he unravels the story make me wish for a further extension to the run. I want to see it again. Originally, this production was closing August 27, and has been held over to September 3. Get any seat you can, you will be glad you did. Friday matinees at 3pm have been added, so head down the shore Thursday night and start your weekend right. The play is 90 minutes, no intermission and like the best experiences, you will want MORE.
This is brilliant storytelling in the hands of experts, http://www.njrep.org/plays/tailor.htm. This play will live in your memory, get your tickets NOW.