END DAYS
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Reviewed by Carol Kaufman Segal

Deborah Zoe Laufer's comedy, End Days, is making its west coast premiere at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles. The play was awarded the American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation in March, 2008 and received its New York City premiere off-Broadway in March, 2009. Following the 9/11 attacks, the Stein family moved away from New York City. Arthur Stein (Loren Lester) was a successful executive with sixty-five employees working in the World Trade Center, all of whom perished in the catastrophic attack. In the ensuing years, Arthur, being the only one of his company to survive, has not been able to cope. His days are spent slumped over the kitchen table, in his pajamas.

 
Arthur's wife, Sylvia (Abigail Revasch), in the past three months has found salvation in none other than Jesus (Andrew Ableson) who follows her around giving her the feeling of joy and contentment (seen only by her, of course), as she tries to "save" her family. Sylvia is convinced that the end of the world is coming and wants to convert her entire Jewish family and all Jews to make certain they are saved. Their 16-year old daughter Rachel (Zoe Pepper) is - well - like many 16-year olds, only more so.
 
She escapes the family problems by being resentful and getting high. But the real salvation comes along in the form of Nelson Steinberg (Charlie Saxton), who recently moved in across the street from the Steins and has a mad crush on Rachel. However, she wants nothing to do with him. Nelson, in his Elvis Presley costume carrying his guitar, is the victim of other boys who constantly flail him with empty milk cartons. But, good natured as he is, he thinks they are only kidding! And because he is infatuated with Rachel, he spends lots of time at the home of the Steins. He is a happy-go-lucky young boy, willing and ready to do anything to make one happy, even going to church to satisfy Sylvia even though he is in the midst of studying for his Bar Mitzvah. Nelson convinces Rachel to read the book, A Brief History of Time, by physicist Steven Hawking.
 
In one of her moments of high, she imagines Hawking (also Andrew Ableson) as an imaginary friend, and little by little, her animosity towards Nelson melts. In fact she finds herself kissing him, not just once, but seven times! When Nelson asks Arthur for help with his Torah reading for his Bar Mitzvah, Arthur finds himself reading the Hebrew words and suddenly discovers himself interested in living again. In the final analysis, it is Nelson who is the backbone of End Days and brings reality back to the Steins. Though the play presents a serious message, it offers two hours of humor. Lisa James does an outstanding job as director. Revasch is a wild, crazy, often very loud, but lovable Sylvia. Saxton is the utmost joy to watch in his characterization of Nelson. Zoe Perry (daughter of actress Laurie Metcalf) is perfect as the rebellious teen-ager. Impressive as well, is Lester as Arthur. Ableson, doing double duty as Jesus and Hawking, brings both characters to life, especially in his performance as Hawking, a man with ALS. As Jesus, he is quite funny.
 
End Days will continue at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., in Los Angeles through Sunday, October 16. 2011. For reservations and information on scheduled performances, call, (310) 477-2055, or go online at www.OdysseyTheatre.com.
Recommended.

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