Nestled in a sweet church on 46th Street, where the brick walls and wooden beams suggest the comforts of spirituality, a new off Broadway one-man show has just taken the theater community by storm.
One man (or woman) shows are difficult to do because of the singularity of the individual on stage. The actor must be able to stay compelling for a long time, create an intimate relationship with the audience, and keep us engaged and entertained.
Jim Brochu's Zero Hour accomplishes all of the above and more. This production is a triumph of writing and performance. I can't decide which is more brilliant.
From the moment that Jim Brochu (who begins the show with his back to the audience, as he stands working on a canvas at his painter's easel), turns around to reveal his astonishing transformation into Zero Mostel, the audience is mesmerized. Set in Mostel's art studio on West 28th Street in 1977, the convention used to tell the story is a good one. Zero is being interviewed there by a writer, who we never see, for the New York Times, and we hear his life story (a la the interview, with Zero answering questions that we never hear) through an explosive narrative, much of which is dominated by the volatile recounting of his place on the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950's.
Jim Brochu's amazing comedic timing and gentle nuances, (oftentimes incorporating subtle physical movements for such an imposing figure,) shows outstanding range, as if he is using all the colors possibly available on an artist's palette. All at once he morphs from sarcasm, wit, and great humour, to unbridled rage, anger and depression.
Jim Brochu's writing is rich and colorful and during the one hour and forty minutes that he prowls the stage, we almost believe that Mr. Mostel has come back to life, or more likely that Jim Brochu is channeling the performer.
Simply put, Jim Brochu is brilliant, the show is brilliant, and the spot on direction by Piper Laurie is brilliant. If you are a fan of the theater, of great performance, masterful writing and top notch direction, Zero Hour is a must see for this theater season. And if you want to relive the artistry of Brooklyn born Zero Mostel, now is your opportunity to do it.
Zero Hour has a limited run through January 31st at the Theatre at St. Clements, 423 West 46th Street.
For more info go to http://www.zerohourshow.com
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