An Anthem for the Unruly Youth
Anna D. Shapiro’s sensational revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s “This is Our Youth,” truly encapsulates the life of a post-adolescent slacker in the Reagan era. It tells the story of three rich kid stoners who have no jobs, no responsibilities, and no cares for their actions. Scratch that, one of the characters, Denny, happens to be self-employed as a highly popular drug dealer. It is at his apartment where the show takes place; a typical bachelor pad with random junk all over the place, a bed, a television, a table, and a small kitchen in the back. Despite Denny’s lack of a serious, steady source of income, the guy thinks he has the whole world at the palms of his hands. Cocky, arrogant, and as full of himself as can be, Denny lives a reckless life in his Upper West Side apartment that his affluent father gladly pays for. Warren, played by the adorably awkward Michael Cera, is Denny’s polar opposite. Warren’s life is in complete shambles- fortunately enough, he steals $15,000 from his wealthy, abusive father, in an attempt to break what Dennis calls his “stupefying losing streak.” Jessica Goldman plays the role of Warren’s potential love interest. A fashion student who doesn’t know what she wants, Jessica helps Warren break that losing streak. So the plot unfolds with this stolen $15,000; how are they going to spend it, and then how are they going to make the money back, so they can return it before Warren’s father notices. The shenanigans unwind in a story of consuming and trafficking drugs, selling Warren’s collection of 1950s and ‘60s memorabilia, and the prospect of getting Warren in bed with a girl. The play perfectly captures the forlorn confusion that adolescents must combat during their transition from youth into adulthood.
Michael Cera’s character is wonderfully reflective of the awkward boy who desperately wants to be a man. Who else but Michael Cera could have depicted the tall, uncomfortable, and insecure character that Warren represents? Having a poor reputation among his peers, Warren faces the cliché problem of not knowing what it is he is doing with his life. His luck with women…well he hasn’t had any. Among his other problems include having an abusive father, a neglectful mother who lives on the other side of the country, and being a complete nuisance to everyone who surrounds him. A social misfit to say the least, Warren turns to drugs any chance he gets to escape his dysfunctional reality. Despite all the abuse Warren already receives, Dennis feels the need to add on to this and bully Warren by constantly bringing him down and reminding him of his failures. All of these components combined can’t help but elicit a sense of pathos from the audience towards the seemingly pathetic protagonist. Dennis on the other hand, initially is seen as nothing more than a superficial narcissist. Subconsciously, he gives you a bad taste; perhaps he reminds you of that one person everyone knows with an undeservingly immense ego. As the plot progresses, Dennis reveals more of his colors and elicits some pathos as well; it becomes apparent that the narcissistic ego he puts up, is a mere camouflage for his insecurities. Jessica plays the role of the mysteriously strange and ambivalent college girl, who can’t make up her mind about anything, and is Warren’s only shot at being with someone. Ultimately, they sleep together and she allows him to get one step closer to manhood. The three characters are distinct yet representative of the same concept: all three of them are on the road to discovering what life truly is, and all three of them are secretly petrified to embark on this journey.
No surprise at all, the primary audience of this Cort Theater production is…you guessed it- the youth. Teenagers and young adults flood the seats to watch a story they are all too familiar with: the story of finding a place for yourself in this world. Despite the fact that the setting occurs three decades ago, the same concept applies to young adults today. It is this relatability factor mixed with the multitude of comedic spurs that occur throughout the show, that make “This Is Our Youth” a great watch. When Warren sells his precious collection of memorabilia, he sells a part of his adolescence in an attempt to purchase a piece of adulthood. It was him taking responsibility for stealing and spending his father’s money, and it was him giving up something that he’s been proud of since he was a child. Similar to how Warren had to give up his collection to join the adult world, there is no doubt that many members in the audience had similar experiences; whether it was giving up something from their childhood or getting their first stable job. The connection the audience is able to make with these three characters is responsible for the audience’s willingness to laugh, smile, and sympathize throughout the course of the performance.
A somewhat guilty pleasure arises from seeing Warren, Denny, and Jessica attempt to overcome their issues with their families in order to delve into a more mature life. With Dennis’ father doing anything to keep his son away from him, Warren’s parents’ lack of interest for their son, and Jessica’s mother suffocating her, the three have to make peace with their parents and leave their childish escapades behind them. As the play winds down, one of Denny’s acquaintances dies of a drug overdose. This causes Denny to have an epiphany that represents the realization all three characters have come to: life is unpredictable and only they are responsible for their own actions. Despite the internal conflict each character faces, “This Is Our Youth” is delightful nonetheless, and accurately portrays the struggles of entering grown-up life. Denny’s apartment provides a sort of familiar and comfortable environment that allows the audience to feel engaged which gives the show a much more personal experience. Viewers are able to appreciate the realness of the dilemmas and are easily able to relate to this journey of maturation. Overall a charming, witty, fun time- “This Is Our Youth” truly serves justice to its title.
