A total of 70 years separate Vera and her grandson Leo, yet through the course of the play “4,000 Miles,” the two characters come to relate to each other in ways neither could have foreseen.
FUSE productions will present Amy Herzog’s award-winning drama, under the direction of Richard Biever, on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the PSU Citizen’s Bank Downtown Theatre on Allen Street.
Veteran performer Helen Manfull will play the outspoken Vera, while James McCready will portray the 21-year-old Leo.
Manfull’s appearance in the play has caused some excitement, particularly for Biever.
“I’ve known her since 1992,” he says. “She taught History of Theatre, which was one of the most popular classes.”
Biever says that, since Manfull’s retirement as professor emerita in theatre at Penn State, she worked on a Reader’s Theatre project with him, reading Vera’s role. So, he felt thrilled for the opportunity to work with her again.
Manfull’s background includes professional stage as well as screen credits.
“It’s hard to give her enough accolades,” Biever says.
McCready agrees. “She’s a pro,” he says. “I just try to absorb what I can.”
McCready’s character shows up at Vera’s door, having ridden his bike cross-country. He has suffered some sort of trauma, but keeps the exact nature of it to himself throughout most of the play. The dialogue and action take place over a month as the pair try to figure out how each other works and how they will make this work together.
“Vera is very set in her ways,” Manfull says, “she’s blunt, and not afraid to speak her mind.”
As the drama unfolds, Leo discovers Vera’s political views, which lean heavily toward Marxism. He also finds that she can accept things about him that he didn’t expect her to. Details emerge about each character that lead to understanding mixed with love, irritation and humor.
Of course, the quality of the play depends on the chemistry between the two main characters.
“That young man (McCready) is a joy,” Manfull says. “He’s quick as a flash and I’ve loved working with him.”
Stage manager Jill A. Brighton has nothing but praise for the pair and their interactions. “It’s adorable,” she says, “a great grandmother/grandson relationship.”
Manfull says she loves working on new roles and building characters. The play evolves as the characters flesh themselves out to each other and to the audience.
“This is life,” Manfull concludes, “a little snapshot of life from the point of view of a 21-year-old and a 91-year-old — simple, folksy and utterly human.”
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