by Frank Furnari, New Rep Reviewer
Downstage @ New Rep begins its season with the roller coaster that is Lisa Kron’s 2.5 Minute Ride. Some may remember Lisa Kron from her 2007 Boston appearance starring in her other major autobiographical play, Well. 2.5 Minute Ride opens with a slide show about Lisa's family, but from the beginning, we know something isn’t quite right, we don't actually see images on the slides, only colors. Something is a little off - as Lisa says, “My family is all either dead or crippled.”
Lisa takes us on a whirlwind journey - abruptly changing time, place, and topic. We jump from family vacations where the “cripples” go on roller coaster rides, to visiting Auschwitz with her father, to a family wedding – just be sure you hold on as the quick transitions can be jarring. The piece alternates from funny moments discussing Peg’s (Lisa’s partner) reaction to Lisa’s family and analysis of the situation through her ‘therapist mind’ to the realities of horrors of Auschwitz. The jumps are occasionally confusing, but it makes you feel as if you're hearing an unscripted talk rather than a play.
Adrianne Krastansky masterfully performs the character of Lisa – one feels that she is channeling Lisa Kron. Occasionally, Adrianne falters when portraying some of the other characters - sometimes one isn’t sure who is supposed to be speaking, but when she is Lisa, she is spot on and a remarkable sight! One of the best moments of the piece is also its darkest - while visiting Auschwitz, Adrianne gets the audience to feel the dread, the sorrow, and her reluctance to even attempt to explain the experience. This play isn’t going to offer you new insight or break new ground, but it is interesting, touching, funny, and only 70 minutes long – hard to pass up, especially when you get to see such a talented actress giving a great performance.
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