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The Unexpected Man
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‘Why are desires so extravagant when compared to what actually happens?’ Why are things so unbalanced and uneven, so lop-sided?
French playwright Yasmina Reza’s asymmetrical 1998 script reveals a proud, slightly older guy, dismissive, tall, inaccessible, disdainful, eliminative, and intellectual. He seems to sum up the entire universe with his opinions.
His seat mate on the long train ride is romantic where he is cynical, altruistic where he is selfish, and strategic where he is tactical. She craves relationship while he spirals into singularity. He is on the brink of abandoning the one thing he can do very well while she is ever-optimistic about the complete stranger.
Where he is interesting, she is interested. When he is reluctant, she is adventurous. He cannot see her but she can see him and sees that he cannot see. Persistently and intelligently, she pursues what is hidden beneath his vanity.
It’s a pleasure watching Ken Ruta duel with Abigail Van Alyn, using entire catalogs of interpersonal technique as each anticipates the other, dodging and counter-attacking. She matches his every move in the mind-game of life. He wants to be admired and if no one admires him he admires himself. She says he fears being understood.
When will she penetrate his vanity? Is he cool enough?
Spare Stage minimalist treatment allows the two actors to fill the small stage brilliantly. The Unexpected Man plays at the Exit main stage in San Francisco until August 15th.
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