A Hero’s Journey – a review of “Up and Away”

by Michael Buzzelli

George Roth AKA Mr. Super (Dave Joseph), aging TV star,  has trouble coming to grips the loss of his celebrity status in Thomas B. Andrews play, “Up and Away.”

The former Hollywood actor is trying out for bit parts in small theaters and working in a call center.  His wife has died and his daughter, Chelsea (Chelsea Kikel) has moved away with her husband, David (Michael Church). His only real connection to the world is through his therapist, Amy (Joan Schwartz), who is prompting him to get out in the world and try some new things.

George would rather sit at home and relive his glory days, watching videotapes from his show, “Mr. Super.” He wears his old red cape everywhere, to work, to his favorite diner, and, even, to his therapist’s office, LARPing through life.

George’s grasp on reality slips and thinks he can fly.

Note: The first half of the play was performed as a one act in the 2023 Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Andrews won the Best Playwright Award that year and has added the second act. R-ACT’s production of “Up and Away” is the premiere of the full-length play.

The second act features Chelsea’s story.

Joseph is amazing as George in “Up and Away.” He’s also a very-convincing Mr. Super. The first act is a showcase of his talents. George cycles through every possible emotion, mania, rage and despair.

Kikel is very impressive as Chelsea. She runs through an gamut of emotions as well, the full spectrum of Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief.

The show has an interesting conceit. Most of the characters are voice overs. George’s interactions with his therapist, the waitress (Anna McAnallen), his boss (David Holderbaum), and his old rival, Jack (John C. R. Silbert) are unseen. It enhances George’s loneliness. It isolates him.

The stage is nearly barren with just a few props, a phone, a menu, and, of course, the iconic scarlet cape, but the scenes are enhanced by Jack Lefebvre’s art via projection design.

Barbara Burgess-Lefebvre, the show’s director, does an excellent job with the playwright’s prose and poetry, bringing George Roth and his estranged daughter to life.

Andrews wrote a provocative play about death and aging, and the ramifications for the survivors.

R-ACT Theatre Productions is tucked away off of a roundabout in Rochester, PA, but “Up and Away” is worth the drive. Unlike the central character of his first full-length premiere play,  the playwright’s future is bright.

-MB

“Up and Away” runs from February 27 to March 2 at the Segriff Stage, 134 Brighton Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074. For more information, click here.