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autobahn
by Neil LaBute
Directed by Darrell W. Cox
At Profiles Theatre
4147 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
Call 773-549-1815, tickets $18 - $22
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 7 PM
Running time 1 hrs, 50 min with intermission
Through May 28, 2006
New LeBute play a clever departure for playwright
Profile Theatre know for edgy, raw theatrical work, has mounted an intelligent, comical show set in the confines of an automobile. Autobahn contains Neil LaBute’s wittiest writing to date as he cleverly uses the front seat of a car to as a platform for personal confessionals. This is a collection of six short plays filled with tense humor and shocking revelations told with biting honesty. The voyeuristic peek into each couple’s lives starts and ends as they travel in their cars.
In ‘bench seat,’ we meet Guy (Eric Burgher) who takes his vintage Buick up to lover’s lane with Girl (Julie Zarlenga) who thinks he is going to dump her like her last grad student did. This marvelously performed scene by Zarlenga puts a new spin on ‘crazy girl fiends.’ Burgher’s facial expression tells of his bewilderment.
‘All apologies’ finds Man (David Earl White) cleverly fixating on words, meanings and connotations as he desperately tries to apologize to his silent wife, Woman (Annette Olszewski). LaBute’s humor and wit abounds in this terrific scene.
In ‘merge,’ Man (Joe Jahraus) questions his wife about her business trip as Woman (Katie Crawford) deliciously and bluntly recalls waking up nude after letting two men into her room at the convention the night before. Jahraus’ mixture of rage and curiosity works well.
‘Long division’ finds Man (Tyler Gray) delivering a funny monologue about how Other Man (Brian Kavanaugh) needs to show his recently broken up girl whose boss by retrieving his video game.
In ‘road trip,’ LaBute’s eerie scene, we find Man (Jack McCabe) as the friendly older coach/driver’s Ed instructor taking a two day ride with the cute naive student Girl (Amy Speckien). Are they relatives or is there a sinister motive from the coach? The last few seconds reveals all. This was the most dramatically tense scene of the night.
In ‘autobahn,’ Woman (Veronica Sheafer) delivers a compelling monologue about returning their criminal foster son to the orphanage after several harrowing events. Man (Bill Hyland) speaks volumes with uttering a word of dialogue.
I enjoyed this extremely well acted series of mini-plays. LaBute’s smart dialogue, rich characterizations and wit comes alive in this confessional piece set in the safety of the automobile. Director Darrell W. Cox has his young cast totally immersed in each mini-play. I especially liked Tyler Gray, David Earl White and Amy Speckien.
Autobahn is a funny show with elements of mystery and intrigue that will keep you engaged throughout. LaBute’s best work in a while.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago Podcast
Date Reviewed March 9, 2006
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