Blackbird

NYC THEATERBy Leonard FeigenblattBlackbird (2 1/2 out of 5 stars)Scottish playwright David Harrower’s play “Blackbird” premiered at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival and moved to London’s West End in 2006; winning Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2007. It premiered off Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2007 with Jeff Daniels and Alison Pill and Joe Mantello directing.Ray, a 40-year old man has a three-month sexual relationship with Una, who is 12. Fifteen years have passed since he was arrested and sentenced to prison. Upon his release, he moved to a new town and started life under a new identity (he now goes by the name of Peter.) Una sees a photo of him in a trade magazine tracks him down and turns up at his workplace. Ray pulls her into an empty employee lunchroom, out of sight of his coworkers. For the next eighty minutes the two have an intense confrontation. Though Una is the victim, it becomes clear that she is not so innocent.Jeff Daniels returns to the role he created off Broadway, giving a very intense and emotional performance. Michelle Williams, who had an unfortunate Broadway debut last season as ‘Sally Bowles’ in the Roundabout Theatre revival of “Cabaret” fares better here: though the craft of stage acting is still eluding her.  Joe Mantello, once again, directs meticulously. The question remains, why would anybody want to watch these two repulsive characters onstage for 80 minutes?Blackbird runs through June 11 at the Belasco Theatre.