“Lil’s 90th” at Long Wharf a poignant, touching cautionary tale

NEW HAVEN — In a poignant and surprisingly tense production of the world premiere of “Lil’s 90th” by Darci Picoult, it is just as the title suggests, a celebration of Lil’s 90th birthday.
Lillian is played by veteran actress Lois Smith, who is no stranger to stage and screen, have performed in all mediums since the 1950s.
Smith was locally last seen at the Hartford Stage Company’s production of Horton Footes “Dividing the Estate.”
She plays a homemaker living in New York City, who decides rather than just having a birthday party to make her stage cabaret debut in a club, during their “early bird” hours, and sing some ditties with her husband Charlie (David Margulies), accompanied by her grandson, Tommy (Nick Blaemire), and his girlfriend Deirdre (Lucy Waters.)
Margulies and Smith are real life companions, which doesn’t hurt the chemistry between the two actors one bit.
The characters clearly love and care for each other, including Charlie and Lil’s frazzled adult daughter Stephanie, played by Kristine Nielsen, Tommy’s mother. That close-knit dynamic lulls you into a comfortable complacency that makes you care for this family.
Without giving too much of the plot away, the play deals with Charlie’s progressing Alzheimer’s disease, and the havoc, leading to serious life-altering ramifications, it can create when his ability to reason starts to slip.
In the play Charlie, who takes great pride in having been the only wage earner in the family, has a surprise up his sleeve as a special gift for Lil, which really speaks more of him, rather than allowing her the limelight.
“She never had to work a day in her life,” Charlie says with pride more than once.
It’s a beautifully and gently realized character study, and Picoult captures the tension and dismay when Charlie’s actions start going terribly wrong and there is little that those who love and care for him can do about it — But love him they do.
Margulies’ Charlie made his living in the garment industry and when he puts on a dapper suit, he looks smashing, with costumes by Ilona Somogyi. He has an elfin, irresistible charm and beguiling charisma that is riveting, making Lil’s love and tolerance for his erratic behavior understandable.
Smith’s Lil, who is a dynamo herself, confesses at one dark point that she saw the changes coming, but they came on so slowly she hardly noticed, and admits that she didn’t want to see them either.
Blaemire’s Tommy steps up to the plate and speaks out directly in frustration about the desperate problems Charlie has created in a way that his mother and grandmother won’t.
Blaemire has a fine singing voice, and its fun to see his band-mate, the lithesome Neilson as Deirdre, and Blaemire’s Tommy accompany Lil on guitar, violin, and keyboard to some old-time musical numbers.
Neilson and Charlie have an interesting scene together when she agrees to watch Charlie and explains to him how a cell phone works, but it is tinged with anxiety too with Charlie’s unpredictable behavior.
Most of the play is set in a New York apartment, with a bedroom, living room, and kitchen that looks like nothing has changed in 50 years, by Frank Alberino.
Directed by Jo Bonney, the actors move comfortably about the oddly shaped wide stage in Long Wharf’s Stage II.
The only problem with “Lil’s 90th” is that Smith appears too youthful and vibrant at first to play a 90-year-old woman, but as the play progresses she becomes more frail and fragile.
“Lil’s 90th” is a gentle late-life love story and cautionary tale well worth experiencing.

LIL'S 90TH

3 Stars
Location: 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Production: Written by Darci Picoult. Directed by Jo Bonney. Musical director Erin Hill. Set design by Frank J. Alberino. Costume design by Ilona Somogyi. Lighting design by Lap Chi Chu. Sound design by Jill Duboff.
Running time: 2 hours including one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays at 7 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. through Feb. 7.
Tickets: $30 to $65. For more information call their box office at 203-787-4282, or visit their website at www.longwharf.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Lois Smith … Lil
David Margulies … Charlie
Kristine Nielsen … Stephanie
Nick Blaemire … Tommy
Lucy Waters … Deirdre