2025 Audience Reviews

Company: TROMPE L'OEIL
Show: Tompkins Squares
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre

Uneven but interesting

The combination of an interesting concept - both literal and metaphoric chess matches within the backdrop of the Cuban Missile crisis - and a nicely written script, rich with Yiddish, historical, and Jewish cultural references, sets up the potential for a thought-provoking 1 act drama. Unfortunately, the build up to Andrik’s (played as a believable curmudgeon)ly chess expert) big exposition is not paid off with enough clarity to explain his reluctance to talk about his past with his son Jacob. Pasha, the idealistic daughter of Vikenti - the blind and sometimes comical foil to Andrik - is empathetic, warm and comfortable. Her portrayal feels genuine, while the same can’t be said of the earnest but ultimately disengaged performance of the role of Jacob, Andrik’s son. The story is worth telling and the writing is good. Some of the acting is up to the task. Hopefully, by the end of the run, all of the players will find their groove.