Cliff Blake’s return to the stage in Psych Drama Company’s production of Terrence McNally’s "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" comes nearly a year after the actor suffered a stroke. Despite an unpredictable recovery, Blake performed without needing assistance during the run, which began June 19 at the Plaza Black Box Theatre in New York City. An onstage prompter was on hand as a precaution but was not called upon.

Blake stars opposite Wendy Lippe, who serves as the company’s producing artistic director. Together, they embody McNally’s intimate two-character play, which centers on a one-night encounter between Frankie, a cynical diner waitress, and Johnny, a chatty short-order cook, that gradually evolves into a profound connection. The production, directed by Julia Murney, offers a compelling interpretation that some say surpasses the 2019 Broadway mounting featuring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon.

Set entirely in Frankie’s modest New York apartment during the 1980s, the play captures the emotional complexity of two lonely individuals seeking companionship and meaning. Allie Glavey’s set design emphasizes the weariness of the characters’ lives through its sparse furnishings and faded surroundings. Murney, an actress with Broadway credits and multiple Drama Desk nominations, balances moments of physical intimacy with scenes that highlight emotional distance between the leads, enhancing the play’s tension and immediacy.

"Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" is known for its candid exploration of love's potential to heal, a theme underscored here with a sense of urgency and vulnerability. While the narrative includes scenes where Johnny insists on staying with Frankie despite her resistance—moments that some viewers find uncomfortable—the production ultimately reveals a deepening bond that resonates strongly by the second act.

McNally, who died in March 2020 from complications related to COVID-19, was a prolific and influential playwright whose works often examined human connection with nuance and humor. His death coincided with the pandemic-related shutdown of Broadway, which may have lessened immediate recognition of his passing. However, his legacy endures through recent tributes, including a 2023 biography by Christopher Byrne and last year’s Tony Award-winning revival of the musical "Ragtime," for which McNally wrote the book.

Lippe noted that Blake has not required line prompting since the production’s start, and his medical team anticipates a full recovery. The limited run of "Frankie and Johnny," concluding Sunday, offers audiences an opportunity to engage with McNally’s work through this intimate and courageous performance.