REVIEW OF JRT “SIGHT UNSEEN”

Last week I attended the play called “SIght Unseen” produced by the Jewish Repertory Theatre. As with all plays performed at the JRT that I attended, the atmosphere was professional, warm and welcoming.

The play is centered around Jonathan Waxman, played by Peter Palmisano a superstar artist so popular that collectors will buy his work “sight unseen.” In London for a major retrospective, Jonathan decides to call his former girlfriend, Patricia, played by Josie DiVincenzo whose influence became a turning point in his early career. Patricia is now married to Nick; played by David Lundy, they live in the English countryside, where they excavate ancient Roman ruins.

When Patricia invites Jonathan to spend the night, tensions arise among the threesome. The unease is certainly felt as the audience is brought back to Brooklyn where Jonathan breaks up with Patricia following the death of his father. It certainly hit a tone with anyone in the theatre who have experienced their own heart wrenching relationships in the past. 

The scenes in the countryside are intermingled with scenes of an interview with a German journalist, Grete, who questions Jonathan’s motivations for his art and his self-promotion. With her strong German accent she tests the level of Jonathan true intentions as an artist,if he’s really gifted, and how much his Jewish past and perhaps guilt influenced his work

Nick provided the counterbalance by bringing us back to the present; reminding everyone through bouts of sarcastic humor that Jonathan had made his choices and must learn to live with them.

Questions about art, money, love and inspiration, their codependency and the ways in which they are inextricably entangled, are all brought to the surface throughout the play. Most notably in the end where Patricia hands back over a portrait of herself that Jonathan made for her while they were lovers. Holding Nick’s hand as she says goodbye to Jonathan, she finds closure to a very special but painful part of her life.

I spoke with a few of the audience members after the play. Michael and Amber, felt that Jonathan imbued an innocent purity into his art; to do so he needed to be honest, passionate, and come to terms with his past

Ed liked how well all the actors played off each other, and that a love of Judaism was being portrayed. Bob felt that we can all take a lesson from Jonathan who was trying to fill an emotional gap in his life through creative expression.

To me, this performance really summed up for me what the Jewish Repertory Theatre is all about; to present compelling stories that make people think and talk to each other as they try to better understand the whys and hows as it relates to life. I feel this is was on full display by all the cast, crew, ushers & directors.

I’d like to thank the Jewish Repertory Theatre for giving us a remarkable piece of art. I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and strongly recommend it to the community.