THE HANGOVER REPORT – Meghan Kennedy’s gently provoking THE COUNTER compassionately embraces its bruised souls

Susannah Flood and Anthony Edwards in Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “The Counter” by Meghan Kennedy at the Laura Pels Theatre (photo by Joan Marcus).

This past weekend at the Laura Pels Theatre, I caught up with Roundabout Theatre Company’s Off-Broadway production of The Counter by Meghan Kennedy (the playwright who penned the plays Too Much, Too Much, Too Many and Napoli, Brooklyn). Set in a quaint cafe in a small, all-but-forgotten town in upstate New York, the gently provoking play chronicles the unlikely relationship between Paul and Katie, a middle-aged man and the waitress who serves him his daily coffee.

Don’t be fooled by the play’s fairly straightforward premise, however. Despite both being unassuming characters at first glance, Paul and Katie upon closer inspection are each bruised souls in the deep winters of their respective lives — one is fleeing from the inflictions of a fraught past, the other fumbling for stimulation in a numbed existence (no spoilers here). Although their initial attempt at friendship is a tentative, delicate dance, they eventually develop a tender rapport that uncovers some grim, tightly-held secrets and induces in them a deep compassion for and trust in each other. Although Kennedy could have chosen a number of routes for her sensitively-wrought characters — some more severe and dire than others — the play ultimately wraps up, thankfully, with more than a glimmer of hope for each of them.

Director David Cromer once again proves why he’s one of the most sought after stage directors working today. His uncanny sense of the human condition brings lovely gravitas to a play that wears mundanity like a warm blanket. As Katie, veteran stage actress Susannah Flood gives a clear-eyed, quietly compelling performance that’s the arguably the backbone of the production. And as Paul, Anthony Edwards (perhaps best known for his appearances in the television series ER) brings considerable texture to a role that could be a tough nut to crack. Also in the cast is Amy Warren, who makes a brief but pivotal cameo-like appearance.

RECOMMENDED

THE COUNTER
Off-Broadway, Play
Roundabout Theatre Company at the Laura Pels Theatre
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through November 17

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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