IRONBOUND  by Carol Kaufmman

            Ironbound, a play written by Martyna Majok, and directed by Tyne Rafael, is playing at the Geffen Playhouse.  It focuses on the life of Darja (Marin Ireland) a Polish woman who, having immigrated to the United States, is still trying to survive. 

            The play covers 22 years in Darja’s struggling life, which seems to be exacerbated by the men in her life.  We see her in 1992 at age 20, in 2006 at age 34, and in 2014 at age 42 (as stated in the program, not necessarily in that order!). It begins with the present (which, in this case, is 2014).  Darja is 42-years old and is sitting at a bus stop in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  She needs a ride home because her 22-year old son ran away, taking her car with him.  (He is just one of her problems.)  Her deceitful long-time boyfriend, Tommy (Christian Camargo) comes by to take her home in his vehicle.  They end up in a squabble over his constant infidelity, and she tells him she is not going back to be with him any longer.                                                                                 

            Darja used to work in a factory and, in addition, she cleaned houses.  Since the factory closed down, her only income now is from cleaning houses and her earnings are much less.  She has always been and is still obsessed with having money and security, so she tells him she’ll go back to him if he gives her $3,000.       

            While Darja is left waiting at the bus stop, we are privy to the time when she was 20 years old, newly married to Maks (Josiah Bania,) and they were struggling to make it in their new country.  Maks is a dreamer with his head in the clouds and he wants to move to Chicago to pursue a music career.  But Darja is against a move, fearful of losing her job in the factory and their security, particularly with a child on the way.  Of course, that marriage ends and Darja is left with the burden of keeping herself and her son solvent.  

            The third man to enter into Darja’s life turns out to be Vic (Marcel Spears), a teenager who finds her, late at night, sleeping behind the bench at the bus stop.  He feels sorry for her and wants to help her by offering her money to go to a hotel.  It is a mystery as to why he is out so late at night and how he happens to be in possession of a large amount of money.  But even though she is grateful for his gesture, she refuses to accept his help, feeling more exacerbated by her lowly position in life.  The play ends with Tommy returning to the bus stop, and Darja going home with him.

            Marin Ireland’s Polish accent is perfect, and she, as well as Christian Camargo, Josiah Bania, and Marcel Spears, all give sterling performances.  However, I personally, found the play, itself, very depressing.

            Ironbound plays Tuesdays through Friday at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM, and 7 PM, through March 4, at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets are available at the Geffen Playhouse Box Office, by phone at (310), 208-5454, or online at www.geffenplayhoouse.org.