THE LYONS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Lyons, a play by Nicky Silver, is about a family, a rather dysfunctional family to say the least.  It opens in a hospital room with Ben (James Handy) lying in bed connected to an IV when his wife, Rita (Judith Scarpone) arrives for a visit.

            Rita is fashionably dressed, sits down in a chair with her home decorating magazines, and immediately begins discussing her plans for redecorating her house.  You would never believe that she is troubled by the fact that her husband has cancer and is dying in the hospital.  And, the fact is, she is not.  She rambles on and on about her future plans as if she can hardly wait for her life to change, while Ben raves and curses. 

            With the arrival of daughter Lisa (Verity Branco), things can only get worse.  Lisa is divorced with children of her own, but her relationship with her own mother is less than caring as well.  Finally Rita’s and Ben’s gay son, Curtis (Chad Coe), pays his call which only adds to the problematic meeting of the entire family.

            Does anyone seem to care that Ben is dying?  Does any family member seem to know anything or care anything about one another?    Even though the situation is sad, Silver has written the play with a lot of humor to make a point that some families can live and grow up together but never connect with one another.

            Under the direction of Scott Alan Smith, the production boasts a very classic and talented cast of actors that also includes Kris Frost, Liz Herron, and Amy Tolsky.  The Lyons is presented by The Road Theatre Company, their final show of the 2016-2017 Season.  This company inevitably presents wonderful and thoughtful productions and always with superb performances

            The Lyons plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, at The Road on Lankershin, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, through July 11.  Tickets are available online at www.roadtheatre.org, or by phone at (818) 761-8838.

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