These Times are NOT A’Changing – a review of “Sixty-nine Seventy”

By Michael Buzzelli

                              “That’s just a little bit of History Repeating”                                            – – Shirley Bassey and the Propellerheads.

Four students, Sharon (Mal MacKenzie), Naomi (Marissa Lily), Barry (Jack Senske), and Andy (Thomas B. Andrews), struggle with their inner thoughts at Buffalo State University, during the very real and tumultuous times of 1969 and 1970 in Michael Eichler’s “Sixty-nine/ Seventy.”

Sharon, raised by conservative Presbyterian parents, rides the line between doing what’s right and what’s expected of her.

Naomi gets to school on the SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation [originally Enlightenment], and Knowledge) scholarship.

Barry is farther left than the others, protesting everything. He is filled with righteous anger, but finds time to date (no spoilers).

Andy is a fastidious townie who is looked down upon by other university students, but he finds validation for his views and forms friendships with his older peers.

The play is a series of monologues, with only a tiny bit of interaction between the actors.

Four additional actors will take on the roles on alternative nights: Barry (Cam Webb), Naomi (Naomi Terrell), Sharon (Sarah Altomari), and Andy (Nick Grosso).

Lily is dynamic as the young Black girl trying to find acceptance on campus. She mines every utterance for comedic gold. A well-placed eye roll and an occasional hair flip have the audience in stitches.

Andrews is an avatar of the playwright. His character is filled with anxiety, blundering through college.

MacKenzie plays a controlled character, seething with hidden passions. They are marvelous in the role.

Senske delivers his monologues with verve.

Associate Director and Scenic Designer Rob James created several risers with uncannily accurate props (somehow he procured an ancient payphone).

The play opens with four video monologues, one from each actor, filmed by Adam Morgan. There is additional interstitial material, news clips, posters, etc. News by Dustin Wickett.

Tyler Hieb, lighting designer and lighting manager, uses the lights to direct the audience around the room, shining the spotlight on the actor when they are ready to share their section of the story.

Director Alex Manalo makes terrific use of the space (the lobby of the City Theatre building), moving the actors in a whirlwind of kinetic energy (Manalo is also a gifted choreographer).

Eichler’s play resonates repeatedly with the present as the students protest an unjust war, a bloodthirsty police force, a fraudulent president, and a population of citizens who believe the lies they are told. Sound familiar?

While the play could use a trim, it’s poignant, funny, and potent. The parallels between the “Sixty-nine/ Seventy” and 2026 are eerily relevant.

Note: Proceeds from the show will benefit the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, MSW COSA (Community, Organization and Social Action) Program.

-MB

“Sixty-nine/ Seventy” runs from May 14 to May 24 in the lobby of the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For tickets and additional information, click here.