**** Recommended Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune is a quiet story about two lonely people who happened to hook up one night at her studio walk-up in New York City. The interaction between these two people kept my attention. 4 Spotlights
The Dunes Summer Theatre production of Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune features Kat Evans as Frankie and Mark Mendelsohn as Johnny. Both are in dead end jobs in the same diner, he’s a short-order cook, she’s a waitress.
Mark Mendelsohn and Kat Evans in Frankie & Johnny at the Claire de Lune. Provided photo.
The play opens with the sounds of love-making. Afterwards, a lamp is switched on revealing a couple in bed. As they sit up on the pillows, their conversation is more getting-to-know-you than lovers talking. When they decide they’re hungry, Johnny offers to fix something. By the way, the smell of onions cooking in butter really made me hungry!
As they reveal more about themselves, Johnny thinks he’s falling in love, but Frankie still thinks it’s a one-night stand. Johnny even calls the radio station to make a request. The Radio Announcer (voice of Michael Nowak) obviously thinks this is a crazy request, but nonetheless plays Debussey’s Claire de lune.
Kat Evans and Mark Mendelsohn in Claire de Lune at Dunes Summer Theatre. Provided photo.
Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune was written by Terrance McNally. It premiered Off-Broadway in 1987. Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham originated the roles of Frankie and Johnny. When the play finally opened on Broadway in 2002, Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci starred as Frankie and Johnny. It also had a limited run Broadway revival in 2019 starring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon.
Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune ran through July 18th.
Next up at Dunes Summer Theater: Avenue Q, running July 24th through August 9th, with a preview July 23rd. Performances: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00 pm CDT (8:00 pm EDT), Sundays at 2:00 pm CDT (3:00 pm EDT). Tickets: $15-$35. FYI www.dunesARTS.org