Dr. Jack Chase (Emanuele Secci) and Rebecca James (Alejandra Mangini) steal a clandestine kiss in the courtroom drama Chasing Jack.
Chasing Jack, by John S. Anastasi, is the story of a man willing to lose it all for the thrill of throwing the die. Dr. Jack Chase (played with boundless energy by Emanuele Secci) is a cardiac surgeon who appears selfless but has one too many skeletons in the closet. The biggest one—a gambling addiction—can no longer remain hidden and, after losing a patient, he finds himself in court.
The plot takes many twists and turns as the play unfolds and more is revealed about Jack’s life and his relationship to those around him. In one reveal, the plaintiff, Rebecca James (Alejandra Mangini), happens to be the wife of the man who died on the operating table, but is also Jack’s attending nurse in the OR. This doesn’t appear to complicate the proceedings, but it certainly does behind closed doors.
Secci with Richard Clodfelter as his friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Arnold. Photographs by Rhett Billetdeaux.
In real life, court is not a very exciting place which makes the courtroom drama a tough construct. At times, the desire to capture “real” court proceedings such as the relentless cross examinations and character witnesses, make the show a bit lifeless and static. However, Peter J Loewy’s direction keeps things moving and the simple set design (by Joel Connelly) works effectively on the very small stage of the Jerry Orbach Theater.
Luckily, there is also some comedic relief in the form of Judge Boyer (Robert Eigen). When summoning the opposing counsel, he calls out: “Red rover, red rover, send Ms. Barrett over.” Barrett (played by Rachel Frost) looks confused at this salutation to which Judge Boyer continues, clearly commenting on her youthfulness: “Do I need to send you an email, sweetie? Maybe snapchat ya? Let’s move it.” The judge’s inappropriate quips are both cringe-worthy and funny and give the dull proceedings a much needed punctuation.
The plaintiffs attorney, Michael Ockerman (Dennis Brito), is a more seasoned attorney than Barrett but with his chiseled chin and tan, he looks like a lawyer on a soap opera. There’s some over-dramatization on the stage, too, that would be better suited for a camera close-up on TV or film. Other characters called to the stand—Dr. Fox (Joel Shaw) and Dr. Maxine Noel (Caroline Sposto)— give medical testimony and add to the realistic replication of the courtroom drama.
“There’s some overdramatization on the stage, too, that would be better suited for . . . TV or film.”
The most seemingly intricate relationship in the play is between Jack and his senior partner at the hospital, Dr. Robert Arnold (Richard Clodfelter). It also seems the most copacetic. However, Robert’s stalwart commitment to Jack is more than meets the eye. All too aware of Jack’s gambling problem, he goads him:
Robert: “You keep promising me you’ll go to the gambling addiction recovery center, and you don’t. I thought it was over.
Jack: It is, for the most part, but I felt so strongly I could beat the odds that I stayed too long.
Robert: Jesus, Jack! Always chasing! How long is too long?
Jack: About thirty open-heart surgeries too long.
The title Chasing Jack is inspired by the maxim “Don’t get caught chasing,” which refers to gamblers who “chase” their losses by gambling more to win back what they’ve lost. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break, and rarely does a gambler come out ahead. This idea is explored in a cyclical way as we see how Jack’s gambling impulses spread into other areas of his life. In the end he’s not a very sympathetic character. It’s an existential problem: can we care for someone who is willing to risk everything simply to tempt fate?
Chasing Jack is playing at the Jerry Orbach Theater, 210 West 50th St., until Nov. 3. Performances are at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, Oct. 30, Oct. 31 , and at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. Tickets range from $39.50-$49.50 and are available by visiting chasingjacktheplay.com.
