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Accelerando
By Lisa Loomer
Directed by Brandon Ray
Produced by New Leaf Theatre
At the Lincoln Park Cultural Center
2045 N. Lincoln Park West
Chicago, IL
Call 773-274-9026, tickets $15
Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Running time 2 hours with intermission
Through April 8, 2006
Accelerando more than just another ‘boy-meets-girl’ play.
New Leaf Theatre Company has produced several quirky, well performed shows over the last few years. Their latest, Accelerando, is a stylistic multi-media romantic comedy with a refreshingly different take on the classic ‘boy-meets girl’ show. The relationship between love and time is explored in a funny, smartly written show that is part fable, part fantasy grounded in unusual staging with the effective use of a mime, video projection and direct discourse with the audience.
I liked this funny, off the wall comedy that features a classical musician and filmmaker (Michael Derting) whose passion for art overwhelms him. She (Georgan Charuhas) is a dancer seeking love. She uses the calendar to cover the history of mankind as she tries to come to an understanding of the effects of time. Playwright Lisa Loomer shows the relationship of love, time, art and history as we see that when we are in love, time stands still or does it?
The two mothers interrupt the two lovers who spend much of the show in his bedroom. Both are haunted by nightmares of past loves and the nagging of their mothers. Time moves so fast that a nighttime romp can be a lifetime of pleasure.
With terrific chorus work underscoring the action by Tiffany Joy Ross and fine work from Isabel Quintero (as Mami, She’s mother) and Annie Silivinski (as He’s mother) Accelerando unfolds as a sexy , cute provocative love story. We hear personal monologues from He and She as the two explore the temptation of love from the meeting to the seduction to wild sex to the thoughts of long-term commitment. The struggle between our accomplishments and our relationships is interestingly presented in this romantic comedy. While a funny show, Accelerando has layers of themes each presented quite theatrically.
Terrific technical work (kudos to sound designer Nick Keenan, lighting by Jared Moore and Matthew J. Mefford’s projections design) together with brisk pacing and effective ensemble work by the actors (especially Michael Derting and Isabel Quintero) make this delightful weird romance a real treat. Our disconnected, frantic paced lives are satirized as a wake up call.
Do they become a couple or is it a one night stand? See this show and find out—you’ll enjoy this funny, imaginative play.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed March 2, 2006
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