Twenty-one-year-old Leo Joseph-Connell (Shiv Palekar) values his independence.

He’s fallen out with his mother Jane and is on a cross-country bike trip. The family hasn’t heard from him in weeks and they are worried.

Leo lands on the doorstep of his 91-year-old grandmother Vera Joseph’s (Nancye Hayes) apartment in Greenwich Village, dirty and smelly.

Photos by Daniel Boud

He’s suffered a recent traumatic episode and is having issues with his college student girlfriend Bec (Ariadne Sgouros), who doesn’t want him at her place.

Grandma, who lost her second husband Joe a decade ago, is not into mollycoddling and is not afraid to speak her mind.

She sets some ground rules, but is also hard of hearing and forgetful.

Vera and her neighbour across the hall, Ginny, check on each other by phone each day, but Vera regards her as painful.

Leo and his grandmother clash and connect.

Revelations give us greater insights into both.

For Leo that has to do with his adopted sister, Lily (Shirong Wu) and his best mate Micah, while Vera isn’t exactly enamoured with growing old.

As events unfold, Leo has it out with his girlfriend and brings home (at least to his grandmother’s place) American/Chinese girl Amanda (Shirong Wu again).

She has had a few drinks and is clearly into him and he into her, but he is still trying to navigate his way forward.

Writer Army Herzog’s Obie Award-winning work (for Best New American play) and Pulitzer Prize nominee 4000 Miles is based on her grandmother.

Her name was Leepee Joseph and she passed away in 2013.

The youngest of four daughters of Jewish immigrants and a card-carrying Communist in her day, she was quite the character.

Herzog has imbued the play with heart, spirit, humour and drama.

With shocks and surprises, she adroitly navigates the complexity of relationships.

Under the direction of Kenneth Moraleda, the assured cast shines.

There is tumult surrounding Leo and Shiv Palekar transitions him well, bringing out a range of emotions, including grief, desire, frustration and anger.

Nancye Hayes is outstanding as the strong-willed Vera, breathing life into a character who has seen and experienced much.

Ariadne Sgouros ensures Bec wears her heart on her sleeve as Bec, while Shirong Wu injects fun into Amanda.

Authenticity and detail are the hallmarks of Jeremy Allen’s evocative, superbly realised two room set design (all the action takes place in Vera’s apartment).

There is much to appreciate and savour about 4000 Miles, which benefits from pulling no punches.

The STC production is on at Wharf 1 Theatre until 23rd March, 2025.