That mythical figure is Val (Pico Alexander), and it’s easy to see why he fascinates Lady (Siff). For most of the play, Jabe is heard rather than seen, making his presence felt by imperiously knocking on the floor of the couple’s quarters, which are above the store. Like Val, Lady is different, which also puts her at odds in the community. Williams writes that Lady “verges on hysteria under a strain,” but Siff (best known for the Showtime series “Billions”) evokes neither. Here it is a hindrance, as she can’t quite give in to the forces pressing down on Lady.

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Persons: Pico Alexander, Jabe, Michael Cullen, imperiously, Val, Williams, Siff, “, ” Alexander, ”, Marlon Brando, Anna Magnani, Uncle Pleasant, Schmidt, Mac Beth, Cyrano ”, Peter Dinklage, Carol Cutrere, Julia McDermott Organizations: Eastern Europe —, Ku Klux, Showtime Locations: Eastern Europe, runny eyeliner