THEATER REVIEW: 'Isaac' takes a twisty look at love, work and science at Urbanite

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During the opening night of Lucas Hnath’s often fascinating, sometimes puzzling play “Isaac’s Eye” at Urbanite Theatre, I frequently felt like I was watching the inner workings of the “Windmills of My Mind,” with spiraling stories trapped within a maze of ideas, each trying to find its way out.

Ben Williamson, center, plays Isaac Newton and Tony Stopperan is a narrator and observer in "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE

Ben Williamson, center, plays Isaac Newton and Tony Stopperan is a narrator and observer in "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE

And yet, in director Vincent Carlson-Brown’s nicely detailed production, “Isaac’s Eye” draws you in, capturing some aspect of your own curiosity to its multi-faceted story.

In this consciously theatrical play play about a young Isaac Newton and his older more established rival Robert Hooke, the characters know they’re in a play and we’re told when bits of information are the imaginings of the playwright versus actual facts. The characters often speak in convoluted yet understandable riddles like thinking about the things they wish they didn’t have to think about out.

Bringing Isaac Newton to the stage

Hnath uses Newton and aspects of his life to tell a story about finding balance between work and love, and the personal toll pursuing your professional goals can take on you and those who might stand in your way (or who love you).

We’ve all studied Newton’s work, to some degree, but we know less about Hooke, who made many discoveries of his own. Even less is known about Catherine Storer, who, in the play, adores Isaac and imagines a life with him. But he’s too focused on trying to get into the Royal Society of scientists, which is how his twisted relationship with Hooke evolves into a game of one-upsmanship.

Robby May, left, as scientist Robert Hooke, conducts an experiment on the eye of Isaac Newton (Ben Williamson, right) as Tony Stopperan watches in "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE THEATRE

Robby May, left, as scientist Robert Hooke, conducts an experiment on the eye of Isaac Newton (Ben Williamson, right) as Tony Stopperan watches in "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE THEATRE

These men are not above blackmail. Hooke, played in a commanding, nicely stylized performance by Robby May, faces the overly eager upstart played by Ben Williamson as a somewhat petulant, expectant and demanding man-child. He is both naive and calculating.

They are rivals pursuing research in the same area, but who will get the results first? It is fun to watch May and Williamson banter through negotiations, or in their dealings with Kim Stephenson as the earnest Catherine, who is not above her own kind of manipulations.

Tony Stopperan is actively involved, even as an observant narrator and particularly as a dying man who makes his own deals to save his life and avoid painful experiments that involve a needle in the eye.

Ben Williamson as young scientist Isaac Newtown and Kim Stephenson as the woman who hopes he might pay more attention to her in Lucas Hnath's "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE

Ben Williamson as young scientist Isaac Newtown and Kim Stephenson as the woman who hopes he might pay more attention to her in Lucas Hnath's "Isaac's Eye" at Urbanite Theatre. DON DALY PHOTO/PROVIDED BY URBANITE

In the intimate Urbanite Space, scenic designer Seth Graham creates a kind of thrust stage with a long-raised platform, and a giant blackboard (for writing down actual facts), with the audience on three sides. Becky Leigh’s costumes combine the past with modern hipster tastes.

“Isaac’s Eye” may not be as gripping as the Urbanite’s first two productions, but it keeps you actively involved through its many twists and surprises.

THEATER REVIEW
“ISAAC’S EYE”
By Lucas Hnath. Directed by Vincent Carlson-Brown. Reviewed Aug. 14, Urbanite Theatre. 1487 Second St., Sarasota. Through Sept. 6. Tickets are $20, $5 for students. 321-1397; urbanitetheatre.com

THEATER REVIEW
“ISAAC’S EYE”
By Lucas Hnath. Directed by Vincent Carlson-Brown. Reviewed Aug. 14, Urbanite Theatre. 1487 Second St., Sarasota. Through Sept. 6. Tickets are $20, $5 for students. 321-1397; urbanitetheatre.com
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Jay Handelman

Jay Handelman is the theater and television critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He also is President of the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association and a two-time past chairman of the association's executive committee. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4931. Follow him at @jayhandelman on Twitter. Make sure to "Like" Arts Sarasota on Facebook for news and reviews of the arts.
Last modified: August 26, 2015
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