James J. Johnson (Bogie), Carlos Saldaña (Zane), and Rachel Manteuffel (Sage). Photo byTeresa Castracane.
Immersive theatre can take a number of shapes and occur in any number of venues. Bob Bartlett’s “Love and Vinyl” is immersive, record-store theatre with a quirky, highly entertaining edge. Staged in Byrdland Records, the play follows the low-key exploits of two childhood friends as they navigate adulting while not necessarily having fully shed the veneer of childhood naiveté (read obliviousness).
…quirky, highly entertaining…Bartlett’s script is clever…performances…are seamless and natural…heartily recommend experiencing this play…
Zane and Bogie (not their real names, but rather some sort of throwback “stage” names) have a habit of meeting in this particular record to discuss everything from lost loves to the existential dread inherent in modern-day life to what are allowable deductions on Schedule A (Bogie is an accountant). Their talks really do run the gamut. Much to the initial chagrin of record shop proprietor, Sage, this catch-up session takes place right before closing. She just can’t seem to get rid of the duo.
Billed a rom-com, and of course given the title, the show ultimately does live up to its romantic comedy aspirations. There may or may not be some chemistry between Bogie and Sage and, with a little comical prompting from Zane, this will-they-or-won’t-they dynamic plays itself out to perfection. This is all set to a soundtrack that had plenty of audience members toe-tapping and ever so quietly singing along. Bartlett’s script is clever. The back and forth between the characters is both witty and vulnerable. Often, the trio uses nostalgia, particularly of the musical variety, to mask the pain that dogs them. Most notably, as we are in a record store later in the evening, this pain is a result of their loneliness. That is one of the most resonant themes of this performance piece…loneliness. Bartlett speaks to the angst we sometimes all feel at the thought of being disconnected and the idea that we may end up alone. Try as they might, these three characters just can’t seem to get over the fear and hesitation of simply connecting. Or can they?
The venue makes all the difference here. An intimate, dimly lit space that doesn’t have to replicate a record store as it is an actual record store, the location puts you right there with the characters as they enact their stories of heartbreak and hope. Under the direction of Carlos Saldaña (who also plays Zane), the conversations in this space truly do become the stuff of evocative theatre. All three actors, Saldaña along with James J. Johnson as Bogie and Rachel Manteuffel as Sage, have clearly mastered the art of working within the unconventional to deliver performances that are seamless and natural. There is a rawness and authenticity to their interactions that perfectly replicates how a run-in of this nature might actually play out in a record store, late at night, among three people each trying to escape the whole “island unto themselves” construct. If you’re new to immersive, on-location theatre, I heartily recommend experiencing this play, as indeed it is an experience.
Running Time: One hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.
“Love and Vinyl” runs through March 9, 2025 presented by Bob Bartlett at Byrdland Records, 1264 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tickets are $35 plus taxes and venue processing fee. For more information or to purchase tickets, please go online.
