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Seven Doors (Sieben Turen)
By Botho Strauss
Translated by Peter K. Jansen
Directed by Patrizia Lombardi Acerra
Produced by Premiere Theatre & Performance
At Prop Thtr
3602 N. Elston
Chicago, IL
Call 312-362-7055, www.ptpachicago.org
Tickets $20, $15 for students/ senior
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 7 pm
Running time is 90 minutes without an intermission
Through November 2, 2008
“It’s as if Samuel Beckett were writing for Saturday Night Live.”—a cast member of “Seven Doors”
Smart comedy from contemporary German satirist works
One of the wonderful things about Chicago storefront theatre is variety of works presented. Director Patrizia Lombardi Acerra sure knows a wonderfully provocative play as she pushes the art form of live theatre with Botho Strauss’ dark comedy “Seven Doors.” This 10 scene work has a sketch comedy style that blends reality and pretense using absurd glimpses into modern life. Botho Stauss’ “main theme is the isolation within large urban population,” states Acerra. Loneliness and the lack of our ability to connect with others leads to desperate lives. Lack of connection chips away at out humanity.
Bradford Chapin’s stirring sound design and Mac Vaughey’s light design on Timothy Spencer’s sleek set add to the austere atmosphere of “Seven Doors.” The brief glimpses into the tragic lives that includes a renter trying to speak to his landlord, to a newlywed couple wondering where all their friends are at their reception. They are so preoccupied with their own love and happiness that they forgot to invite anyone. The least significant person in the world is given a package that holds the key to world power. A scientist commits suicide for fear of leaving any traces of his dangerous discovery behind—in the afterlife he is greeted by Nothingness as he ultimate reward. Those are a sampling of the sketches contained in “Seven Doors.”
These vignettes are expertly staged and well acted. It is difficult to present 10 unrelated scenes but directed Acerra has her cast instantly moving into their scenes with gusto and aplomb. This existential comedy is clever and refreshingly different. The show is filled with empathetic and truthful performances. The profound themes emerge through realistic characters many of which we can relate to. I especially liked the work of Michael Norton, Lila Frazier and Anna Stevens. Strauss is an interesting playwright with a unique take on 21st Century life. Kudos to Premiere Theatre & Performance for presenting a major German talent, Botho Strauss, who is hardly produced in Chicago. This is a smart absurdist work that you’ll enjoy. I know I did.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008
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