For those who are always saying that the local theatre groups in town are always doing the same old thing, you need to see the production showing at Scene One Theatre this weekend. DRINKING IN AMERICA by Eric Bogosian is not really a play, but a social commentary of America in the 1980s, with 13 skits, 12 of which are solo performances with 1 collaboration. I saw it last week with Marilee, and we were both impressed with the efforts of this ensemble cast. While I dont have the time to describe every scene, here are some short commentaries on some of my favorite scenes by each actor. Courtney Desko, the lone female member of the cast, with her performance in The Law is scary- I mean SCARY Old Testament scary- with her performance of an ultra socially conservative evangelist who advocates death those who she deems to be sinners and that she believes to be the ruin of America. Ironically, later in the show in Fried Egg Deal she does a very poignant performance as one of the sinners described by her earlier character; a junkie on the streets of a major American city, cajoling and pleading with an audience member about her life. Chris Kennison tells perhaps one of the funniest stories I have ever heard in Our Gang, a monologue about one of the wildest nights of partying you will ever hear. His delivery is spot on! He also does a solid performance as a drunken salesman at a convention in Ceramic Tile - I knew guys exactly like his character when I worked in marketing and sales in the late 80s. My favorite performance by the ever stalwart Doug Richardson is in No Problems, as he portrays an IBM clone, Jameson whiskey sipping, businessman from suburbia, telling the audience about how perfect his life is; he has a good job, a beautiful wife, a great daughter- there are no problems. Yet, Dougs delivery conveys- very subtly, beneath the surface, you can hear it in his voice... he is close to being dead inside. I also knew a lot of guys like this character back in the 1980s. Finally, but not least, if you have ever known someone who was a coke head, you will appreciate the manic performance of Tom Renner, as a Hollywood producer in Wired. The entire performance is the audiences view of a phone conversation between Toms character (who is in LA) with an associate producer in NYC (who is unheard) who wakens Toms character with a call at 9am in the morning. At first the character is barely able to function, reminding the NYC guy that it is 9am in California, not noon, as it is on the east coast. It is obvious that the character had very little sleep and was hungover, if not still drunk. But after a bump and a coffee he takes off, and the one sided conversation we hear is absolutely solid; I knew guys like this in Dallas in the 80s as well. Mark Wegman has directed a fine ensemble here, and I strongly urge you to go see it this weekend. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, doors open at 7, curtain is at 7:30. Tickets are only $10. Call 573-635-6713 to see what is available. After the show come by Paddy Malones Irish Pub- there will be a coupon in your program for a discount on something that I cant exactly say what because of the antiquated liquor laws of this state, but I can tell you that with the discount, you will only be out $9 for the show. Add that to our NEW Late Night Happy Hour 9-to Close, and youll only be out $8 for the show. See you soon and remember: Support Locally Owned Businesses and that includes our local Theatre Groups.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:46:18 +0000
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