arts & entertainment The Model Apartment FOR MORE INFORMATION CAtt 1488,712-9655 oR SiT ISTUbbs.com Chris Jakob, Laurel Hufano and Trudy Mason in The Model Apartment Thomas Mahard and Christina Flynn at the JET Theatre NM NMI MI NMI MIMI 11•III NMI 11111111 Ronelle Grier Contributing Writer Off A Family Diner Serving Breakfast, Lunch St Dinner T any bill $18 or more (248) 682-3400 4170 Orchard Lake Rd. 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The 80-minute figuratively dominates the play by Donald Margulies show from the moment she is far too edgy and intense bursts onto the stage in a to recede into darkness, and cacophony of bright cloth- I found nothing funny in its stark por- ing and manic chatter. Not only is she trayal of the ravaging effects of mental physically large, but she also expresses illness and the Holocaust on an aging her pain and her madness so vividly Jewish couple on the verge of a new life that it felt like I was inside her head, under the Florida sun. But however it seeing her demons and hearing their is described, this is a play worth seeing, voices. even if it is not always easy to watch. Mason and Mahard do an admira- Max (Tom Mahard) and Lola (Trudy ble job of playing off Hufano's energy Mason) have been dreaming of a without getting overshadowed by it. peaceful existence in their new condo- Mason's portrayal of a mother who minium, a dream that begins to dis- realizes she cannot be carefree while solve when they arrive and learn that her daughter is suffering is heartrend- they will be staying temporarily in a ing, and Mahard's facial expressions model apartment because their unit and hand gestures convey his frustra- is not ready as promised. The couple tion and agony as effectively as his tries to make the best of the unexpect- spoken lines. ed and rather nondescript quarters, Jakob is excellent in the role of Neil, until they discover that the television the homeless and mentally impaired and refrigerator are just for show and young man who was wandering the the candlesticks and other decorative streets of New York before finding accessories are bolted to the tables physical and emotional refuge with they are intended to adorn. Debbie. It soon becomes evident that, Christina Flynn portrays the ethe- despite their gaudy tropical clothing, real Deborah, the star of Max's tor- Max and Lola are not typical New tured dreams, the impossibly sweet Yorkers in search of quieter surround- and beautiful daughter who was killed ings and year-round sunshine. Clearly during the Holocaust while Max was these two people are haunted — indi- hiding in the woods. vidually, by the horrors each endured The production is enhanced by during World War II and, together, by designers Sarah Tanner (set), Diane a mysterious someone they have left Ulseth (properties), Christa Koerner behind. (costumes), Jon Weaver (sound) and The "someone" is their obese and Donald Robert Fox (lighting), who mentally ill daughter, Debbie (Laurel provide a background that comple- Hufano), who shows up after following ments the powerful performances. JET presents The Model Apartment through June 5. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, with a 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, matinee. Tickets: $41, with student and senior discounts available. (248) 788-2900; jettheatre.org .