Theater Review / “I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard”

A psychodrama with laugh lines

By Joanna Brady

Much has been written about the father/son bond; less about the bonds of fathers and daughters. Which makes ‘I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard’ an interesting study, as well as compelling entertainment.

No, this play isn’t about praying or religion. Au contraire. Anything but. It’s a powerful, noir piece, with some funny lines to provide balance, written by Halley Feiffer—millennial daughter of famous cartoonist, satirist, and playwright, Pulitzer Prize winner Jules Feiffer. And though the author makes no admission to the play being autobiographical, you gotta wonder!

The play, which opens Wed., Jan. 23, is a special joint production by Key West’s TheatreXP and The Studios. It stars Melody G. Moore, and the multi-talented Bob Bowersox: As well as his stage role, Bowersox is also the producer, set designer, and part of the lighting design team, along with Mike Tomes.

This isn’t Halley Feiffer’s first rodeo. She has written several plays. But one comes away thinking this one is probably the closest to her heart. In “I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard”, the talented daughter, Ella, emulates her father, David Berryman, by entering the world of the theater, as an actress. It’s within this crucible that Feiffer explores their poisonous father-daughter relationship within a creative family where narcissism runs amok. Despite her resistance, Berryman insists she will be a writer like him.

Director Carole MacCartee coaxes A-plus performances from these two fine actors, ideal foils for each other, in this intense psychodrama. The play is essentially character-driven. Berryman, the famous playwright has an impossible ego and an unconventional parenting style. He’s the egomaniacal toxic dad, cussing, drinking, drugging, shoving, yelling, and belittling. Inconsistent, he keeps his daughter off balance. One minute he is heaping praise, the next, he is spewing vindictive.

In fact, the first act almost becomes a one-man performance by Bowersox. It is set in the kitchen of Berryman’s Upper West Side apartment. Berryman and Ella are huddled at the table, consuming copious amounts of alcohol and drugs as they wait for the New York Times review of Ella’s Off-Broadway acting debut as Masha in “The Seagull”.

Vulnerable and desperate for praise, Ella is a young woman with an Electra complex, worshipping her father and hanging on his every word. David holds forth on the back story of his dysfunctional life in crusty language: his abusive, alcoholic father kicked him out at age 17; his lesbian older sister wrote a book blaming him for their younger sister’s death. How he began his career. His mentors. All stories Ella has heard before.

Eventually, his cruel taunting of Ella’s looks and acting ability turns Ella’s blind love into hate. They have a fight and she leaves.

The second act takes place after a five year estrangement. Changes have taken place, and their roles are reversed as Ella comes into her own. Moore’s character morphs from being Daddy’s little girl in the first act to . . . um, being just Daddy in this shorter second act. A Godzilla in stilettos, juggling several phone calls at once, she is just as dislikeable as her father was, with all his cruel and narcissistic traits.

David shows up to the opening night of a play Ella has written and stars in—playing 12 different parts. He’s bearing roses to make amends, but their power positions have changed. Ella is now the daughter her father has created. Here, Moore excels as she replicates all her father’s mean-mindedness in a scene heavy with irony.

Some of the lines of these damaged characters may make you laugh; some will make you cringe; still others may make you squirm. But you will be intrigued, and entertained. It’s the kind of play you talk about afterwards.

 

The play runs at the Helmerich Theater, Studios of Key West, through Feb. 2. All curtains at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available at www.tskw.org, or call 305 296-0458. Reduced price preview performance on Tues., Jan 22, and a Sunday performance Jan. 27. After Fri. Jan. 25 performance, there will be a talkback with the cast and director.

(Joanna Brady is a local writer, author of the historical Key West novel, The Woman at the Light, published by St. Martin’s Press)

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