A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE

An intriguing drama keeps climbing but
never quite reaches the heights it promises

Sofonyas, Will Ingram, and Anastasia Locke (Jacob Ruth)

The New York premiere of The Vessel by Brendan George combines nonfiction with fiction, inspired by the true story of New York City’s infamous Hudson Yards landmark. The 150-foot-tall structure with eight levels of interconnected stairs and landing platforms (forming a honeycomb-like beehive) has closed twice following fatal incidents at the site. At 59E59, the play is presented in an intimate black-box space with only two rows of seats surrounding Tony DiBernardo’s hexagonal stage, where the action takes place on one of the Vessel’s 80 elevated platforms. There is no jumping here, but the anticipation of a potential suicide creates an undercurrent of tension throughout the 85-minute play.

Sofonyas, Will Ingram, and Anastasia Locke (Jacob Ruth)

Directed with economy by Peter Charney, the play follows three minimum-wage park employees. Drake (Sofonyas) and Missy (Anastasia Locke) train the newest employee, Viggo (Will Ingram), as they monitor the unseen visitors—tourists and New Yorkers alike. They sometimes leave the playing space to greet them with questions such as, “May I help you?” or “How are you today?” Much of the dialogue consists of amusing small talk, debates, or unwanted advances. With very little overt conflict on the page, this is a character-driven play as we gradually get to know the three while standing on duty. Some interesting facts about Viggo emerge as Drake investigates him. Viggo’s hyper, unbalanced energy suggests that he himself could be a potential jumper. Later, as the play approaches its climax, we are led to believe that another character may be considering a jump. Perhaps, in the end, the reunited friendship of the trio wins out and gives them something to live for.

Sofonyas and Anastasia Locke (Jacob Ruth)

Hearing facts about this architectural wonder is interesting, but the play itself doesn’t win me over or prove especially moving. The question of what might happen provides the propulsive tension, but the answer, in the end, seems to be not much—or, rather, life is worth living.

Sofonyas, Will Ingram, and Anastasia Locke (Jacob Ruth)

The reason to see and support this production is the utterly truthful work of Sofonyas and Locke, neither of whom shows one false moment. They are so present and in the moment that I couldn’t take my eyes off them. On the other hand, there is an awful lot of overplaying from Ingram, although that may be inherent in the writing as his character awkwardly pushes himself to fit in and belong. But in a performance space this small, less is more. By the time the park reopens and Viggo’s character is promoted to supervisor, his presence becomes as grounded and honest as that of the other two. Yet the writing doesn’t explain this shift or whatever became of the backstory that brought him here.

Sofonyas and Anastasia Locke (Jacob Ruth)

The design team includes Yiyuan Li (lights) and Emma Hasselbach (sound); their contributions serve this small-scale production well without calling attention to themselves.

Anastasia Locke and Will Ingram (Yiyuan Li)

Ultimately, The Vessel offers an intimate look at the people who inhabit the shadow of an extraordinary—and troubled—piece of public art. Reopening in October 2024 for a third time, now with steel mesh encasing the structure, the real-life Vessel welcomes anyone who’d like to climb over 2,500 steps. The play offers its own thoughtful, if imperfect, meditation on the people who watch over it. With its intimate staging and quietly powerful performances, The Vessel invites us to consider what it means to watch, to belong, and to look out for one another.

Sofonyas and Anastasia Locke (Yiyuan Li)

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photos by Jacob Ruth and Yiyuan Li

The Vessel
Through The Tollbooth Co. in association with Thrown Stone Theatre Company
59E59 Theaters, Theater C, 59 E. 59th St.
ends on August 30, 2026
90 minutes, no intermission
for tickets ($42, including $2 fee; 59E59 Members $30), visit 59E59 Theaters

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Sofonyas, Anastasia Locke, and Will Ingram (Yiyuan Li)