review by guest blogger Shannon Marsh

The Lehman Trilogy, playing at ACT Theatre in downtown Seattle now through May 19th, delivers a theatrical experience that delves into the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers, from their humble beginnings to the collapse of their financial empire.The first of three acts delves deeply into the story of the three brothers arriving in America- “Henry” (Robert Pescovitz), Meyer (Bradford Farwell) and Emmanuel (Brandon J. Simmons). These three actors take on dozens of roles, accents, and personas in a thoughtfully blocked dance telling the story of over 150 years of history. 

The skyline of white staggered boards are creatively enhanced through projection mapping to portray environments from the horse track to 1840s America Ellis Island through the 2008 Lehman Brothers crash. The ever-changing Lehman sign becomes a symbol of the evolution of the business and the struggles within to direct its sails. The simple stage and haphazard-looking furniture placed on the edges are cleverly used to create imaginary rooms, cities, spaces and landscapes. The blocking and chemistry of these three actors keep aloft a narrative of nearly 3 hours and generations of Lehmans, an impressive feat.

The three brothers arrive in America, settling in Alabama and establishing of their business, starting with fabric and soon expanding to goods for planting cotton and finding their niche eventually in the middle-man trade between plantation owners and cotton mills. The brothers are hard-working, innovative, and single minded on growing their business. They continue to hold their Jewish traditions in the deep south to ground their identity, and this proves an asset in being open on Sundays when the rest of the shops close so they become embedded in the fabric of their community. In a first major leap, they establishing a New York office, though the decision to branch out is not an easy one for the brothers. Levity comes in the form of Meyer “The Potato” playing the role of periodic peacemaker between his two brothers’ strong opinions. 

Throughout the show, the three actors take on additional roles (my favorite was the appearance of the shy Babette), shifting accents, personas, and costume pieces to cleverly weave a full narrative.

The Lehman Trilogy at ACT Theatre is a skillful production that shares the fragility of success, the consequences of unchecked ambition, and the enduring legacy of one of the most iconic financial institutions in American history. Now through May 19, 2024 at ACT Theatre in downtown Seattle. Tickets and more info, here.

Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross