|
Hurlyburly
By David Rabe
Directed by Michael Patrick Thornton
At The Gift Theatre
4802 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-283-7071, tickets $20 - $25
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 2 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 3 hours, 5 min with 2 intermissions
Through February 18, 2006
Hurlyburly an impressive, powerful black comedy
The Gift Theatre Company is quickly amassing an impressive portfolio of wonderful productions. Another Steppenwolf in the making? Could be if they continue to mount intelligent and compelling shows like Hurlyburly. Under the astute direction of Michael Patrick Thornton, Hurlyburly’s three hours flows as we become entangled in the hedonistic world of the ‘me first’ 1980’s 30something crowd.
This complex, wordy work by David Rabe is more than a story about a group of 30something Hollywood functionaries who can’t hold on to a lasting relationship with a woman. These coke snorting, 420 smoking, whiskey drinking hedonists spend much of their time arguing, insulting each other and debating what they mean, often rephrasing their sentences.
Set in Hollywood in 1980, an explosive time with Iran hostage, Reagan’s election as President and hyper-inflation, Hurlyburly is located in Eddie’s (Paul D’Addario) apartment (exquisite 80’s style set complete with large book case) where Eddie leads the constant cynical search for clarity as he debates, redefines and laments the emptiness of his life. His roommate Mickey (Brendan Donaldson) often tries to keep Eddie from going over the top both with his self-destructive drug intake and his abusive over analyzing of everyone and everything, especially Phil (Steve Misetic) his psychotic actor friend.
Hurlyburly is a smartly written work giving each character much to say employing much crosstalk, monologues and debate. The raw language is sometimes crudely blunt, sometimes lyrical and epic, often funny and always engaging. There is a desperation in these guys trying to find true love and making sense of a violate world. Their escape into booze and drugs offers only slight relief.
“This is a very dark, metaphysical, and viciously funny play that questions the responsibilities of being human,” says director Thornton. Playwright David Rabe uses Eddie to point out that when the limits of language and our ability to communicate get muddled, chaos ensues leading to bewilderment and the breakdown of civilization.
Hurlyburly takes some concentration but quickly snags us with the wonderfully developed characters from the neurotic Eddie (in a tour de force performance from the talented Paul D’Addario) to the realist Mickey (smart work from Brendan Donaldson) to the scary explosive psychotic Phil (in a marvelously measured performance from Steve Misetic). Add Artie (John Kelly Connolly always an effective actor) and nice work from Hillary Clemens (Donna) the ditsy hitchhiker, Mary Fons (Bonnie) and Lynda Newton (Darliene) and Hurlyburly contains one terrific ensemble of quirky types.
Hurlyburly has much to say, some interesting plot twists with sprinkles of dark humor. In the hands of a crack ensemble and an intuitive director, Hurlyburly delivers a poignant, mind stimulating show. It is worth the ride out to the Northwest Side.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
This show is eligible for a C.S.T. Non-Equity Theatre Award
Talk Theatre in Chicago Radio Show
January 13, 2006
Jeff Recommended
|
