A drunk man without pants on mourning over his dead teacher’s coffin in the wee hours of the morning is not something we see in every play. "Our Lady of 121st Street" at the Odyssey Theatre gives us this... and much more. Originally, "Our Lady of 121st Street," written by Stephen Adly Gurgis, was directed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman at the Labyrinth Theatre Company in New York. The production eventually made it to the Union Station Theatre off-Broadway, receiving Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Play.

Set in Harlem, New York, the audience is taken into the lives of several people, each visiting in the wake of their recently deceased, but dearly beloved, teacher. As these characters meet up and recount stories of their lives, the audience is taken, along with these characters, into an emotional journey, recounting the mistakes of the past. The audience is at first bombarded by the comedic banter between several characters at opposite ends, such as the fast-talking, weed-smoking Rooftop (Martel Huggins) and the serious, wise Father Lux (William Knight), the loft owner Edwin (Alvaro Ramirez) and his handicapped brother Pinky (Daniel Palma), or even the short, and very odd, exchange between the drunk Vic (Michael Woodruff) and the police officer Balthazar (John Christopher). However, as the play progresses, the audience is treated to more serious issues, and in doing so, confront their own past mistakes.

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Each role in this production is played masterfully, not revealing too much about the characters flaws early on, but letting them be realized in time. Every individual has a different story to tell, yet they are all connected, not just because of their relation to Sister Rose, but because of the relationships that they have made or lost. Each actor demonstrates such skill in making their characters as human and fragile as possible. The only complaint that could exist is the issue with the music blurting out the character’s lines after transitions, requiring the audience to piece together what has just been said.

The stage is set up in a very thought-provoking way, as it clashes images of Jesus Christ, a cross, and even the Virgin Mary with the graffiti and bar settings of Harlem. Each detail, from the candles in the wake to the alcohol in the bar, was skillfully placed in comparison to each other by Scenic Designer Tesshi Nakagawa.

If anyone desires to see a play that has light comedy, touching stories, and amazing acting, then this play is the right fit for them.

‘Our Lady of 121st Street’ is playing at The Odyssey Theatre (2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles) through Nov. 1. Tickets are $10-$20. For more information visit OdysseyTheatre.com

Contact Contributor Benjamin Noble here.

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