Hit Machine by Jonathan Caren debuts at the SoHo Theatre and is just as advertised … A HIT. Set inside the newly renovated mansion living room, which is defined by Modular Art Deco sofas, expensive art lamps, and a transparent glass backdrop. This play proves that all the money in the world can’t heal you or help you escape, and sometimes you just need your brother.
Wes (Josh Radnor) and Alex (Noah Gavin) are two distant brothers connected by music and childhood trauma. Reunited after not seeing each other over the past year and not truly connecting for even longer than that. Ignoring their shared past of abuse, Wes has left Alex to fend for himself along with his mother, but when their abusive father cut off their mother, the house is going to be the first thing to go, and even with the strained relationship between the two brothers themselves, Alex runs to Wes for help in more ways than one. Alex wants his music Mogul brother to help him write a hit so he can sign at a record label and save the house, or for Wes to just hand it out to their mother, but Wes both won't and can't; he is tired of giving handouts.
While Wes has used his music to improve his lifestyle he has never stopped trying to improve and ‘fix’ everything and when this bleeds over into his music he can no longer produce the Hits that have made him a legend in his career field, but he has signed a new artist Defy The Leader (Khalil Madovi) and with the new troublesome artist and newly rennovated house that he could not afford he plans on changing all that. While Alex pours what happened to him and his emotions into his music like a well to transport others but he has never stopped and he jokes and hides or self sabotages by getting in his own way, and when this gets in the way of his chance to finally be signed as an artist in his own right he goes to his brother to help him produce a hit to show the agent, but can they work together, can they save the house, can Wes even make a hit anymore?
Josh Radnor and Noah Gavin are a wonderful pair, a classic comedian and straight-man duo bouncing playfully off of each other. While we laugh, they masterfully fill us in on why they are the way they are in those sibling playful/not-so-playful jabs that hit all too close to home, and divulge private information through the music where you have to give credit to Noah Gavin, who sounds absolutely magical and as though he is coming up with these bangers on the spot. Khalil Madovi has the presence of a superstar he comes in and absolutely sits in the power of Defy with silence, short responses and order as the brothers beckon and cater to him. And if you don’t join in at the song in the end…WHAT ARE YOU DOING!
What makes Hit Machine so compelling is its use of music to tell us their story without telling us THE story, and heading into musical-land. Jonathan Caren skillfully captures two brothers with different coping mechanisms and them trying to save each other, but Ben Harper's songs WILL have you bopping your head and singing on the tube ride home. You have been warned!
While I do believe the play could have been longer with it only being 90 minutes straight rough I wish we were able to see or have closure on if their childhood home was saved, further revelation on the relationship with the father for Alex, Alex’s future in music does he become the artist he wants to be or does he stay behind writing and creating for others, but even without all of that I left the SoHo knowing I have just experienced a good night of theatre.
The production team also deserves praise for the world they create. Under the direction of Daniel Bailey, the pacing carefully balances moments of bickering comedy and tenderness. Meanwhile, the set design by Amelia Jane Hankin perfectly captures the essence of each character and the differences in both age and background through their clothing, showing the gap and differing life experiences between each other.
What I admired most about the production was how it subverts who you think is trying to save who, and the use of music and at-home freestyles and throwing punches all in the name of love, healing, and saving your family, because even with all the money in the world, family is all you really have at the end of the day.
Review: Marquise Horton Photos: Bautista Araya