Sylvia T's Review of The One-Eyed Man is King on YelpTriple Shot's current production is "The One-Eyed Man is King," by the award-winning playwright Carter W. Lewis. The One-Eyed Man is King, runs Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights at the Phoenix Theater in San Francisco's through May 28th.
The play is a charming and witty modern fable that challenges our view of a "normal" life - and "normal" love. Lise (Andi Trindle), trying to cope with the impending loss of a terminally ill husband--and the recriminations of an angry stepdaughter (Alli Jones) --is confronted in her home one night by the charismatic thief Bendalli (Dan Wilson), a blind man who struggles to "see" his way into the lives of others. The pair form an unlikely bond, and when lines of sight and vision begin to blur, both find their approach to the world dramatically altered. Bendalli's doting father, Ludviccio - and magic helper - is brilliantly played by Michael Moerman.
While Mr. Lewis' play is overweighted with long, philosophical speeches that approach the didactic at times, Mr. Lewis' language is quite lovely. And though his passionate characters take themselves very seriously (as well-written characters should), Mr. Lewis has a wicked sense of humor and none of his characters escape the playwright having fun at their expense.
Dan Wilson is commanding as the stoic, proud pivotal character, quite the artiste at his craft of burgling, and operatically egotistical.
Andi Trindle's Lise, drunkenly glib at the beginning of the play in her first encounter with the Bendalli, skillfully unfolds the vulnerability and deep passions in her character.
Allie Jones is astonishingly convincing as a teenager, confused and fearful and attempting in her angry adolescent way to make her stepmother be a mom.
Michael Moerman's Ludiviccio gifts each of the other characters with tenderness they desperately need.
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