Linda Vista--One of Letts' Best Plays

        By Joseph Cervelli

 How do you figure out a guy like 50 year old Wheeler (a winning Ian Barford) in the frequently hilarious and yet tender and touching "Linda Vista" by Tracy Letts presented by the 2ndStage at the Helen Hayes Theater. He is a miserable mess. He has moved into a beautiful new condo in San Diego and that is probably the only good thing in his life. He is in the thoes of a messy divorce; his teenage son is addicted to humiliation porn; and he has a nowhere job as a camera repairman. It does not help that Michael (Troy West) the owner of the shop is a lewd guy forever making harassment comments about his younger employee Anita (an excellent Caroline Neff). I did wonder how Wheeler who has little money and having problems paying alimony can afford a condo with a great view (the lovely set by Todd Rosenthal.)

 His best friends are the married couple Paul (Jim True-Frost) and the feisty Margaret (Sally Murphy) whom he once dated. It is easy to see why she is better matched with the laid back Paul than the complaining Wheeler. They set him up with the lovely life coach Jules (Cora Vander Broek) who has a stunning moment near the end of the play in standing her ground in dealing with Wheeler. You find out early in the play quite briefly that she has her own past romantic issues. While they don't exactly hit it off at the karaoke club in which Paul and Margaret join in for some earsplitting singing they start to have a romance. One of the funniest if not the most hilarious sex scenes I have seen on stage  occurs in Wheeler's bedroom. It is graphically but honestly and realistically  presented by director Dexter Bullard who keeps the long play running quite smoothly. I won't give anything away but will say that little is left to the imagination. What makes is far from pruient is Letts' incisive and genuine dialogue. You would swear these are people who are real people from everyday life. Part of me wondered if any of this was autobiographical it is so authentic.

 The other character who plays a pivotal role in the proceedings is the lovely twenty something pregnant Minnie (Chantal Thuy) who was living with her boyfriend in Wheeler's complex with her boyfriend who throws her out. Feeling sorry for her Wheeler takes her in even though he spends every night with the lovely Jules either at his place or hers. One of the most prophetic lines which I won't divulge is what Minnie tells Wheeler which he chooses to ignore.

The performances are all so markedly on target. Barford turns Wheeler into  a character whom you want to feel sympathy for but find yourself disliking as the play goes on. He thinks he is one of those very hip guys although his hip (sorry for the bad pun) is causing him back problems. Seeing him trying to dress as a rocker at a picnic is so ludicrously funny. Yet, as much as you will grow to find him less likable Barford still imbues him with a certain amount of sympathy. He truly is a mess both emotionally and physically. Vader Broek's emotionally touching scene with him at the restaurant  is beautifully played and I cannot imagine anyone not sometime in their life finding themselves in such a similar situation.  All the other actors play their roles strongly and sincerely.

What makes this play which under any other writer could be little more than an above average sitcom is the observant writing which makes you reflect on your own relationships and life. Next to Letts' wonderful "August: Osage County" this is his best play to date.

Tickets are available at the Helen Hayes Theater 240 West 44th Street.

PHOTOS: JOAN MARCUS