Authored by Jake Brasch, THE RESERVOIR was first produced at the Denver Center in Colorado on 1/17/25, where it was well received: “Funny…a powerful, ultimately optimistic story about addiction, family, and the value of seeing – really seeing – the people closest to you (Onstage Colorado review).” A writer, performer, composer, and clown, multi-talented Brasch is the perfect person to jog all your fondest memories (and perhaps some not so fond) of family ties with a realistic and poignant humor. To quote the playwright, “I owe so much to (my grandparents) – including my passion for the theatre…one of the joys of working on this play has been getting to hear grandparent memories…I hope this play and…memories inspire you to call your grandma. I promise she has all of your answers.” A co-production with Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and Alliance Theatre, THE RESERVOIR makes its West Coast premiere in 2025 at the Geffen Playhouse.
Lee Wilkof, Liz Larsen, Carolyn Mignini, Geoffrey Wade, and Jake Horowitz – Photo by Jeff Lorch
The time is 2013 to 2015, and the place is Denver, Colorado. Josh (Jake Horowitz) has a few problems which seem to have derailed him over the past few years, namely alcoholism and associated failing memory. By 2013, his life is spiraling out of control; and he is forced to come home to mom – and his grandparents. They are all ready and willing to dish out unsolicited advice and judge his life choices. Soon he is glimpsing their own mortality over coffee and doing Jazzercise at the JCC – of course, to help them. An inappropriate jokester, Grandpa Shrimpy (Lee Wilkof) is having some memory issues of his own just when he has decided to renew his Bar Mitzvah after 70 years. Grandma Beverly (Liz Larsen) isn’t one to accept excuses for past mistakes, and she’s not shy about letting Josh know it. Midwesterner Grandma Irene (Carolyn Mignini) offers warm Christmas cookies and lots of love, even as she enters the dark tunnels of dementia, while Grandpa Hank (Geoffrey Wade) and Mom (Marin Hinkle) can be pretty unforgiving when crossed. But just maybe these imperfect human beings have something to offer a rudderless young man who is lost in the morass of his own pickled mind.
Jake Horowitz, Carolyn Mignini, Adrian Gonzalez, and Geoffrey Wade – Photo by Jeff Lorch
This is pretty heavy stuff – which makes Brasch all the more devoted to seeing the family as people first and relatives second. At the same time, he has the ability to keep you laughing, sometimes through tears. Skillfully and delicately helmed by Shelley Butler, THE RESERVOIR is a moving and fascinating character study of a family in crisis – without a how-to book of solutions. A significant strength of the play is that the audience appreciates the goings-on and can still chuckle at the foibles of this zany crowd. It’s also very likely that they resonate with the progression of the tale because they or someone close to them has been there. As such, Brasch has achieved one of his goals – to trigger the audience’s memories about family. Let’s hope that your grandma had all the answers to your questions.
Liz Larsen, Carolyn Mignini, Jake Horowitz, Lee Wilkof, and Geoffrey Wade – Photo by Jeff Lorch
Takesha Kata’s scenic design is simple yet effective – primarily four chairs on a raised background dais, one for each grandparent. As needed, the occasional prop makes a momentary appearance to offer a sketchy memory of a sofa, a bookstore, a car interior – never sufficiently detailed to detract from the people onstage or the play’s focus. Kudo’s to the talented cast, who breathe life into each of these family members as they seek answers to questions which they have yet to formulate. Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew’s lighting also sets the stage for a story without clear time or boundaries. In all, THE RESERVOIR is a well-written, highly effective, thought-provoking tale of the cascading effects of addiction, the search for personal identity and meaning in life, family conflict, growing old, and mortality. These are meaningful, gripping, and penetrating questions with performances to match. THE RESERVOIR is a charming – and intense – must-see production.
Marin Hinkle and Jake Horowitzh – Photo by Jeff Lorch
THE RESERVOIR runs through July 20, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays. The Gil Cates Theater is located at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Tickets range from $36 to $139. For information and reservations, call 310-208-2028 or go online.
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