Review: 'Our Town'
Enjoy a slice of Americana at UDM
"Why are (or aren't) you reviewing shows staged by the area's educational theaters," is a question that many – if not most – of the town's theater critics field at one time or other. Some of us do, and others don't – it simply depends on the philosophy of each newspaper and the personal preference of the critics.
Curtain Calls, for example, does not review shows staged by the state's undergraduate theater programs; we only review professional productions.
But there's one undergrad program – The Theatre Company at the University of Detroit Mercy – that's unique. It takes a professional/conservatory approach to education, and as such, its students work side-by-side with some of the area's best theater professionals. That experience alone is worth whatever the students pay for tuition.
Why? Because the student actors are subject to the same rigorous standards as are the professionals – and that means they get real world training and experience that will serve them well in their future careers.
So it's the UDM shows with student actors teamed with established pros that Curtain Calls reviews. And we, too, hold every actor to the same standards!
The Theatre Company opens its 2005/06 season with a leisurely, enjoyable production of "Our Town." The Thornton Wilder classic visits three specific days in the life of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, a small New England town in the early 20th century. We watch as neighbors George Gibbs and Emily Webb follow the traditions set by the town's ancestors: They fall in love while in high school, they marry after graduation and, later, one dies.
To tell his tale, Wilder relies on a Stage Manager who provides important background details and describes upcoming scenes. It's an important role that sets the show's tone, and longtime pro Greg Trzaskoma easily – and breezily – handles the task with a warm and charming portrayal.
Of the student actors, Sarah Shirkey is especially striking. As Emily she effortlessly conveys the full range of teenage emotions. And she shines in the Act II drug store scene with husband-to-be George, played with nervous delight by Curtis Green. (Earlier in the scene, however, Green displays none of the arrogance Emily points out to him.)
Jessica Lake, too, has great fun as the gossipy Mrs. Soames.
Stand outs among the guest artists include Patti Jones (Mrs. Gibbs) and Linda Barsamian (Mrs. Webb). However, Robert Skrok's generally fine performance as Dr. Gibbs was slightly marred last Saturday night by garbled, unintelligible dialogue in Act II.
"Our Town" Staged Fri.-Sun. by The Theatre Company at The University of Detroit Mercy at the Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit, through Oct. 16. $15. 313-933-3270. http://theatre.udmercy.edu.
{The Bottom Line: A charming and teary visit to earlier times thanks to director Arthur J. Beer.}
Review: '8. An Antiplay'
It's absurd: Planet Ant opens Late Night Series with an 'antiplay'
What is the significance of the number 8?
It's beyond me!
And I bet it's also beyond the understanding of most people who attend "8. An Antiplay" at Hamtramck's Planet Ant.
But that's generally the way an absurdist comedy works.
For an absurdist playwright – Chad Kushaba, in this particular case – latches onto the meaningless or the incomprehensible to make a greater point.
And then it's up to the audience to figure out its true meaning.
Or not.
We all know that 8 exists.
And that it serves a useful function.
But what is its connection to 3?
It's half of 8.
Aesthetically speaking, that is.
But why, then, is 23 important?
Or 512?
And what do you get when you flip 8 on its side?
Why, infinity, of course.
Aha! Now we're getting somewhere!
Especially when you consider that one of the four characters – which is half of 8, you understand – is God.
Or Chad – but "God" is embroidered on the back of his tee-shirt.
And he seems to be the transcendental leader of Human and Time.
But their struggle to ascertain the importance of 8 is interrupted by the arrival of Gravity.
Or zero, as far as the others are concerned.
And they treat him as such.
No matter how hard he tries to fit it.
Which he doesn't.
Which you observe right from the start.
Because Gravity wears a funny pair of glasses with a big nose and mustache, while all of the others wear half-masks.
Which is a nice touch.
Of which there are many in this production.
Thanks to director Chris Korte – the man who is everywhere!
There's even a June Taylor Dancers moment!
That gets a big laugh.
Also, of which there are plenty.
And the performances are quite good, too.
Thanks to the fine ensemble effort of Lauren Bickers, Michael Fiedler, Jonathon Musser and Sarah Switanowski.
So that's settled.
Except for my theory.
Absurdist comedies are not everyone's cup of tea.
So some people might not get the point of plays such as "8. An Antiplay."
But in doing so, it is THEY who miss the point.
And the point is this:
It is because of the energies at theaters like Planet Ant that new, innovative and experimental works are given a chance to grow and prosper.
Or wither and fail.
And that's a good thing – no, a GREAT thing.
Because if Detroit and its 'burbs want to be a "Cool City", we must provide outlets for our young and creative talents to express themselves.
No matter how good, bad – or absurd – their work is.
So support your local theaters.
And ponder the wonders of the world.
Like 8.
Or corn.
(Don't even get me started on THAT one!)
"8. An Antiplay" A Late Night production staged Thu.-Sat. at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff, Hamtramck, through Oct. 15. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com.
The Bottom Line: Although the concept of 8 might be beyond you, Planet Ant's Late Night Series is not: In fact, it's off to an invigorating start!
