Lost in the Cusp of Adulthood
Running until January 4th, 2015, the comedy This is Our Youth delights audiences with great wit at the intimate Cort Theatre. Kenneth Lonergan’s production was originally performed in 1996, but has been successfully revived by Tony Award winning director, Anna D. Shapiro, on a Broadway stage. The show triumphs for numerous reasons, including effective casting, exuberant set design, and most significantly an engaging script that stimulates many viewers with its humor. Accordingly, This is Our Youth gracefully portrays the unique moments of entering adulthood in the Reagan era while appealing to the current generation of teenagers with its continuously comical dialogue.
The show follows a day in the life of two affluent and drug addicted teenage boys, who in the process of inventing themselves get lost in bad decision-making. The play is set in 1982, in the Upper West Side apartment of Dennis Ziegler, who lives without basic responsibilities as his wealthy parents pay for all living necessities. Into the young drug dealer’s modest abode, comes trampling Warren Straub, another awkward teen entering maturity. Warren, a nerdy and restless individual, arrives at the apartment with suitcase in hand, as he flees the home of his rich and abusive father with 15,000 dollars of stolen money in hand. The boys interact with constant interruptions of aggression, as one intervenes with an immense ego and the other with constant indecisiveness. It is hard to tell whether the protagonists are friends or foes, as they establish a violent yet loyal relationship within minutes of the show’s inception. Soon, Denny has convinced Warren that the money must be returned to Mr. Straub immediately, and the two devise a plan to replace the spent cash through a clever drug deal, where both of the young men benefit with a high. However, the story develops further as a love interest enters the picture for young and confused Warren Straub.
Jessica Goldman, an art student who also confronts arrested development with radical opinions of her surroundings, is left alone in the apartment with a lonely Warren, who has been falling for her in the past. The two get lost in a fueled debate about maturity, intriguing those in the audience that have faced, or currently face the similar internal conflict of finding a place in this world. The girl falls in love with Warren’s suitcase of valuable memorabilia, which represents his strong grasp on a fading childhood. Soon, the two embark on a vivid off-stage adventure, leaving viewers in anticipation at the couple’s future together.
The play takes place over a short time period, lasting less than twelve hours; yet, character development is prominent. In the second act of the performance, Denny discovers that his acquaintance, a cocaine addict, has unexpectedly died of an overdose. This marks his realization that life is spontaneous and a single choice in the wrong direction can stop an individual of any age from developing further. He is in disbelief of the current event and becomes keen to alter his future by deliberating a career that suits his dominating self- esteem. Meanwhile, Warren lets go of his adolescence by selling his suitcase of ephemerae in order to retrieve his father’s money.
This is Our Youth causes audience members to sympathize with the troubled young adults as they begin to mature. The misunderstood trio signify conflicts that many juvenile face in achieving adulthood. Michael Cera, the acclaimed actor who plays the role of restive Warren Straub, does a phenomenal job in depicting an awkward; yet, relatable youth with a strong vocabulary. Similarly, Kieran Culkin, another renowned actor, effectively portrays Dennis Ziegler, a man driven with rage but warmed with a big heart that becomes evident as the plot develops. Lastly, Tavi Gevinson, an amateur journalist and newfound Broadway star, brings an energetic ambiance to the stage as she reveals a struggling soul within a flamboyant young woman.
Overall, the performance is a hit. The characters are constantly moving across the stage: fighting, dancing, jumping, or frolicking around, keeping the attention of the audience with spontaneous actions. Cera enchants the role of Warren with his innate quirky persona, combining characteristics of kindness, intellect, and a constant need to move. With every scene, young Warren Straub charms the audience more and more; by the conclusion of the play, the viewer’s want to befriend the fascinating character. In contrast, Kieran Culkin puts up an intimidating front in his obnoxiously extravagant role as Denny. The actor fluctuates in and out of fits of rage, where his face turns blood red as he yells at individuals offstage over the phone. Culkin successfully interprets this powerful young man, as the audience grows disgusted with his arrogance while secretly adoring the boy’s altruism. Lastly, Gevinson perplexes spectators by introducing to the play Jessica Goldman, a bewildered college student who is in a continuous search for her identity.
This is Our Youth appeals to audience members disoriented by their entrance into adulthood, those who have already matured, and even older viewers who have not experienced childhood in modern New York City. The setting, Denny’s crammed apartment, contributes to the performance as it provides an essence of familiarity and coziness for those theatregoers who have lived in the city that never sleeps. Furthermore, the small cast, consisting of only three juveniles, creates an intimate atmosphere as viewers get the opportunity to acquaint themselves with each character, comprehending the youths’ internal combat and developing a personalized opinion of each character.
There is definitely a lot to learn from this performance, as the script is comic with a psychological depth that the young actors interpret commendably. Audiences of all ages can enjoy the play, while it is especially engaging for those in the cusp of adulthood, faced with similar conflicts as the characters on stage. This is Our Youth is vibrant with the panache of young minds and filled with Lonergan’s sharp humor, a must see for anyone craving renewed perspective.
