Epiphany

C-

Well, my recent lucky streak at the theater ended with a thud this weekend. Make that two thuds. Today’s disappointment was this Lincoln Center Theater import from Galway. Brian Watkins’ tonally wobbly homage to Joyce’s “The Dead” must have lost some key ingredient crossing the pond. For me, it completely failed as engrossing theater. On the bright side, it is providing employment for some fine actors including Marylouise Burke, Jonathan Hadary and Omar Metwally. Would that they had better material to work with. The high-strung mature hostess, Morkan (Burke), has invited a motley group of friends over to revive the celebration of Epiphany. No one is quite sure what Epiphany is and no one has read the detailed instructions their hostess had sent. The guest of honor is Gabriel, a celebrity author, whose promised attendance is the main attraction for the other guests. Morkan insists that her guests surrender their cellphones to avoid distractions from their goal, whatever that may be. They chatter inanely with little interest in what others have to say. Kelly (Heather Burns), a musician, punishes the guests with an excruciating excerpt from a contemporary piano piece. At this point it seems that the author is aiming for satire. Then there’s an extended slapstick episode involving Morkan’s oldest friend, Ames (Hadary), and a knife. Finally, Gabriel’s luminous partner Aran (Carmen Zilles) arrives with the bad news that Gabriel isn’t coming because he’s too depressed to leave the house. Aran’s charisma evokes undivided attention from the others. Sam, a psychologist (Metwally), administers an extremely personal test to Kelly. The mood darkens when Morkan reveals why her sister is not present. Most of the guests say their goodbyes, leaving Morgan and Ames sitting at the table as it begins to snow inside. That’s all, folks. Two hours have passed without intermission – or theatrical payoff.