Michael J Farina and Erikka Walsh in ‘Come Light My Cigarette’
A new musical play, Come Light My Cigarette, is now running through September 2, 2017 at the Theatre at Saint Clement’s in New York City. This is a show that is difficult to watch for several reasons including the subject matter and some problems with the production. It runs about 90 minutes with no intermission. Instead there are two scenes separated by a darkening of the set.
The play was written and directed by Arnold L. Cohen. It features Michael J. Farina (Kevin), Kaye Tuckerman (Danielle), and Erikka Walsh (Vikki). Music Director is Mason Griffin who plays the piano for the show.
This is a dark play dealing with childhood sexual abuse and the latent results into adulthood. Because of the abuse she suffered from her father, Vikki ran away at sixteen. Now she returns to the apartment where her parents lived following her mother’s death. Through song, she laments the abuses she suffered and her entry into the world of prostitution.
First, Kevin, the husband of the woman who died, comes in. He answers a number of telephone calls concerning his wife’s death. The fact that he is an accountant enters the conversation frequently. However, very little emotion is shown but a lot of stereotyping is heard. Vikki reenters the apartment and after a time, confronts Kevin that he killed her mother. He talks about doing it and Vikki shows him she has been wired by the police and his guilt has been recorded. However, there is no sign that the police are ready to move in on him. The scene just ends unresolved and left to the imagination.
The second scene of the play takes place in the same apartment between Vikki and Danielle. Danielle is a producer on Broadway who has taken Vikki as her lover and is making her a Broadway star. It doesn’t seem as though their relationship is a happy one but both appear to get something out of it.
The good points of the show include some fine piano playing and melodies that could be classified as haunting to the soul. The words to the songs, well, not as much. All three of the actors have good singing voices especially the two women.
At times it was difficult to make out some of the words being spoken by Vikki and Danielle. This caused some issues with figuring out where the play was going. Better development of the characters would help this play. Although there was more background given about Vikki, the material just didn’t give the right emotions so that the audience could sympathize with her. There are several times when the dialog gets tedious. Between that and the lack of character development, this is a difficult play to sit through.
Audience Potential
There may be more to this play than came through. However, right now, it would not be one I would recommend for most theater goers. But, those who enjoy plays that are more abstract may want to see this.
To inquire about tickets, either go to the Box Office at the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 W. 46th Street or visit their website at www.stclementsnyc.org.