Tracy Letts is an absolute popular playwright, but his plays are hit or miss for me. In fact “August: Osage County” is the only play of his that I’ve read/seen that I’ve enjoyed.
“Linda Vista” is currently playing on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre and it follows a man experiencing a mid life crisis. The play begins as he moves into an apartment in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego. Wheeler (Ian Bradford) is excited to have his own place after living with his ex wife for several years.
He’s an average man living an average life. Wheeler is doing the bare minimum. He failed as a photographer when he was younger and refuses to do anything outside of his comfort zone. This is his reality.
Everything else in his life isn’t worth fighting for. He has a son, but doesn’t even want to fight to have a relationship with him.
His best friend is determined to get Wheeler back in the dating game. Wheeler seems to be ready as well. He attempts to ask out his younger coworker Anita (Caroline Neff), but she turns him down.
Wheeler is Wheeler. He views life through a cynical lens. His new apartment has got him excited for his future love life, but he is still cynical. He is no longer used to flirting. He is awkward.
We’ve seen characters like Wheeler before. He is just another man who takes the women in his life for granted.
“Linda Vista” if you can’t tell already, was not something I enjoyed. The comedic aspects were more for shock. There were two intimate scenes on stage which are also not my thing.
Like most of Letts’ plays, this is an almost three hour production. There are intriguing moments. Some of the line deliveries are genuinely funny. Overall though I didn’t care. Wheeler is way too unlivable. There were little redeeming qualities that made me care about his situation.
The main plot revolves around Wheeler’s relationship with two different women. There’s the woman who’s closer to his age with a positive outlook on life. Then there’s his younger, pregnant neighbor.
It’s Wheeler’s best friend and his wife who introduce him to Jules. Jules has a master’s degree in “happiness” and is a life coach.
Wheeler and Jules meet during a group hangout at a karaoke bar. They somehow hit it off and end up at Wheeler’s apartment. There’s some miscommunication during sex, but they figure it out. Fast forward and Wheeler and Jules are now celebrating one month together.
Right before meeting Jules for the first time, Wheeler meets Minnie (Chantal Thuy). She’s much younger, pregnant and seeking an out from her abusive boyfriend asks to stay at his place. She’s the opposite of Jules in every way and Wheeler can’t resist.
Jules initially comes to stay with Wheeler after he and Jules hook up for the first time. He and Minnie get together a few days before his one month anniversary.
The set revolves and is split into four main parts: the doorway toWheeler’s apartment, the living room of his apartment and the other two sections change into whatever is needed. It’s kind of cool to see the set transform into different areas as needed. They’re all intricately detailed.
Letts is a master at dialogue and the actors are great. This show is just not for me. It’s not my humor and I didn’t like Wheeler. I felt no sympathy towards him and didn’t care about the situations he found himself in.
