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In Tandem's 'Apartment 3A' dynamic production

By JULIE McHALE - TimeOut Theater Critic

May 2, 2013

 

MILWAUKEE - When someone breaks your heart, it is hard to take the risk again. 

This is the way the play “Apartment 3A”  by Jeff Daniels opens, with Annie entering a barren apartment in a rather scruffy neighborhood to start her tattered little life over again. Annie works for PBS and is a passionate advocate for all progressive causes: world peace, cleaner air, gay rights, gun control and good educational children’s programs. Her cohort, Elliot, works with her at the station and is often trying to bridle her exuberance and spontaneity. He is also secretly in love with Annie but inept in declaring his attraction.

Enter a neighbor who lives across the hall - Donald, who provides comfort and advice and a free dozen eggs. Donald is a good guy, but we sometimes doubt his motives. He claims to be married to an idyllic, beautiful woman whom he adores. Unfortunately, she travels a lot.

So now we have two men who are being attentive to the befallen Annie: Elliot, a sincere but awkward nerd with a keen interest in the mating habits of polar bears, and Donald, a hopeless romantic who loves to waltz and catch liars in the act. Annie resists their friendship even as we can sense her ambivalence and vulnerability and the possibility that she might be capable of opening her heart again.

During a dinner with Elliot, the question of religion arises when he suddenly confesses that he is Catholic and she admits that she is an atheist. At this point, Annie’s intensity reaches a new pitch as they each present their alternate points of view regarding the existence of God and his presence or absence in the world. From this point on, we await proof to substantiate either or both positions.

Meanwhile, Donald frequently appears in a sort of observatory and advisory role, and we begin to wonder about him. We like his honesty, and even though he is irksome to Annie, we sense that she likes him, too. But then there’s Elliot. Both men are almost too nice and not the type of men that Annie has usually fallen for.

Tiffany Vance totally captivates us from the moment she enters apartment 3A and collapses into tears as soon as the landlord closes the door. Within a few moments, we meet her mysterious neighbor Donald who barges in to console her, and several moments later we are watching her on the air, fundraising for PBS and threatening the audience with the death of Big Bird if they don’t send money. Enter Elliot, her fellow worker, cautioning Annie that she has overstepped her boundaries, yet admiring her guts.

In the first 10 minutes, we meet all four characters and get a good sense of each of them with a few deft strokes of the playwright. An amazing script from start to finish.

Doug Jarecki (Elliot) delivers as usual. His earnest demeanor along with his keen comic sense are an irresistible combination. Simon Jon Provan (Donald) creates an air of mystery from the moment he intrudes himself upon the scene. He maintains this fascinating mien throughout. We keep thinking, what is with this guy? Gene Schuldt makes a cameo but key appearance as the landlord.

As usual, In Tandem delivers another class production. “Apartment 3A” was on their docket in 2002. I loved it then but had forgotten why. Now I remember. Quality script, great acting and good direction by Jane Flieller. Don’t miss this one.

“Apartment 3A” runs through May 19 at In Tandem Theatre, 628 N. 10th St., Milwaukee. Call 414-271-1371 for show times and tickets.