Back in the day, we would have called this “A Happening.” It was the time of “Dionysus in ’69” by The Performance Group and works by Judith Malina and Julian Beck’s The Living Theatre. The lines between performer and audience were blurred decades ago. With HA HA HA HA HA HA HA, now at The Public Theater, the lines are obliterated.

Not to worry. No one is dragged on stage against their will, and no one is coerced into doing anything. Julia Masli is a gentle spirit—so gentle you might question if she is real. Dressed in a luscious blue gown and adorned with headgear, microphone, and lights, Masli glides into the Anspacher Theater so smoothly and slowly that we think she may be on a movable platform.

She IS real.  She moves under her own steam.  She takes her time gliding about, looking for audience folks.  The HA HA HA HA HA HA HA is not a laugh fest.  It is a release and an invitation.  To tell you exactly what she does would ruin the surprise, so I will say that it is a slow reveal.  Masli is knitting a tapestry, and we are the warp and woof.  Not everyone accepts the invitation to the question, “Problem?”.  And each one who does comes with specks of the unpredicted:  The man with the dog.  The dead cell phone. The man worried about becoming a father, and the stranger who had advice.  It is a smooth revolve of people blending with other people.

When she is done, and it is time to bid adieu, you feel light-headed and enlightened.

But here is the nagging question:  As well as performing the role of a loving angelic presence, is Masli also offering us insight into how easily people can choose to accept an invitation to leave their seats (read: home, family, circle of friends, political party or religion) to join a group of seemingly harmless strangers under the control of one person?  I believe Masli intends both the safety and the danger.  The safety of a harmless collaboration or two placed side by side with a small piece of clothing as an offering.  What could be wrong with either of those?

If you look at it long enough, you might see more layers than you noticed at first glance.

This is one smart cookie.  Pay attention.

The Public presents A Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Touring Production.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA Created and Performed by Julia Masli, Directed by Kim Noble

Alessio Festuccia Sound Design Conceived, Sebastian Hernandez Improvised Sound Score Implemented, Lily Woodford Lighting Design Conceived, Alice Wedge, Annika Thiems and David Curtis-Ring Costume Design

Through June 22 at The Public Theater