FRAGILE DELIVERIES
nytheatre.com review by Soline McLain
August 15, 2002
When watching a play, audiences often expect a "delivery" of some sort
(whether in the form of entertainment or a moral lesson). Despite its
title, Fragile Deliveries does not have too much to offer to its
audiences. The play tells the story of a pharmacist, Melanie, who is
tired of her repetitive, single life, so she writes angst-filled poetry.
In this twist on the "boy-meets-girl" story, a drug dealer (Sammy) tries
to pick Melanie up at a bus stop. She winds up taking his phone number
and inviting him on a date. However, it turns out that his "fragile
deliveries" are really drugs, and he plans to use her as a drug source.Both Lisa Moss as Melanie and Nelson Lugo as Sammy give fair performances considering the script with which they are dealing. Melissa Osborn’s play is both unbelievable and unrealistic. I never believed that either of the two leads was attracted to the other. However, all of a sudden, Melanie is willing to give up her whole life for a drug dealer who is clearly using her. (This is not only clear to the audience, it’s clear to Melanie.)
Gail Herendeen as Melanie’s best friend Turner is a breath of fresh air and life in this production. Her characterization is both humorous and realistic.
The director seems to think that it is necessary to distinguish between the various settings by having one particular prop to delineate each one. While this seems a reasonable idea for a show on a budget and with time constraints, the lack of blackouts to accompany such changes leaves the actors carrying props at inappropriate times and making audible references to them. For instance, Melanie returns home drunk from a bar carrying an hourglass that represents her apartment.
When Melanie’s best friend Turner tries to warn her about Sammy, Melanie replies, "You wouldn’t understand." I could not help noticing the irony of it—not only does Turner not understand, but the rest of the audience does not either.
