Aubrey Plaza, a celebrated actress, has once again joined forces with filmmaker Ethan Coen for a theatrical endeavor that promises both laughter and profound reflection. Their collaboration, which began with films like Emily the Criminal and Honey Don't!, extends to the stage with the play Let's Love!, a project that deeply resonated with Plaza.
The play, which premiered on October 15 at the Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theatre, features Plaza as Susan, a forty-year-old character grappling with romantic disillusionment and a notoriously unfiltered demeanor. This role offers Plaza a unique opportunity to explore themes of toxic femininity and societal expectations, diverging from conventional portrayals of women in theater. Coen himself acknowledged the script's audacious nature, expressing relief that Plaza's compelling performance has kept audiences captivated, preventing them from 'streaming for the lobby.'
Let's Love! marks Plaza's return to the New York stage after a brief hiatus, following her 2023 debut in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. This project provided a comforting and familiar environment for the actress, especially during a personally challenging year. Plaza found the uninhibited nature of her character to be a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to express emotions she typically reserves for her professional life. In an unexpected turn, she even incorporated her childhood saxophone skills into the production's final scene, adding a unique musical element to her performance.
Through the exploration of messy relationships and the universal search for meaning, the play suggests that love, in all its complicated forms, is ultimately what binds us. Plaza's engagement with Let's Love! underscores the transformative power of art and the enduring human quest for connection and understanding. Her return to the stage, surrounded by trusted collaborators, highlights the profound impact of creative expression on personal healing and growth, reminding us that even in chaos, there is a path to light and hope.