By: Darryl Reilly
“It’s like where theater goes to die,” says an institutional tour guide of his profession in playwright Carly Mensch’s charming and inventive romantic fantasia, Now Circa Then. The conceit is that we are at New York City’s Tenement Museum in 2010; a quirky, young male veteran guide of one and half years has a new partner. She is a restless young woman from Michigan, together they reenact the lives of a young German immigrant couple who moved into the apartment in 1890. The present-day figures are soon falling love. The play’s scenes alternate and sometimes are comingled between the two time zones. There is singing, direct audience address and standup comedy-type passages, all evoking old-time vaudeville, which features in the narrative.
Ms. Mensch confidentially and artfully fulfills her appealing premise through witty, snappy and affective dialogue. Historical facts, personal revelations and plot twists are all craftily interwoven during this thoughtful entertainment. Now Circa Then’s major facet is that it is a vehicle for two actors to each shine in rich double roles.
Employing a melodious German accent, the sleek, beaming and charismatic Daniel Yaiullo occasionally channels Cabaret’s Emcee during his dazzling performance. Mr. Yaiullo swiftly and intensely achieves two full-fledged and moving characterizations through his tremendous vocal and physical talents. Either as the immigrant striver or the contemporary, privileged native New Yorker misfit, Yaiullo indelibly veers from humor to pathos.
The sunny and magnetic Anna Lei Negrin offers two vivacious portrayals. Ms. Negrin beautifully articulates the plight of women in the early 20th century as a stalwart wife in an arranged marriage and is touching as a struggling lost soul in the present. Yaiullo and Negrin’s passionate and utterly convincing teamwork bring Mensch’s humane characters to life.
In addition to successfully shepherding these illustrious turns, director Luke Hofmaier’s physical staging is exemplary. The main playing area is a deep square, on which Mr. Hofmaier packs in much action and visual variety. That is augmented by scenes in a bedroom off to the side and vaudeville-style bits played in front of the stage. Scenic designer Noel Brook’s wondrously detailed tenement apartment commands attention. Aidan McCleod’s grand lighting design vividly creates a vintage sheen and a contemporary look through strategic, varying hues. Costume designer Bridget Leicester smart collection of garments perfectly realize the different time periods.
Now Circa Then premiered Off-Broadway in 2010 at New York City’s Ars Nova. This revival is presented by the Morningside Theater Co. (MPTC) which was founded in 1974 by Dr. Paul Kozelka of Teachers College, Columbia University. The troupe offers pay-by-donation performances at Manhattan’s Morningside Gardens Housing Cooperative. Their worthy production of Now Circa Then is a glorious and resonant theatrical experience.
Now Circa Then (through May 11, 2025)
Morningside Theater Co.
Morningside Players, 100 La Salle Street, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.morningsideplayers.org
Running time: one hour and 45 minutes including one intermission