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That Much Mentioned Brilliance
Written by Kenneth Paul Drews & Dan Filowitz
Directed by Kenneth Paul Drews
Produced by The Disciples of Clyde Productions
At Stage Left Theatre
3408 N. Sheffield
Chicago, IL
Call 773-680-9736, tickets $15
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through February 10, 2007
Interesting take on relationships: In an age of endless choice, what does it mean to love one person?
The Disciples of Clyde Productions offers an original relationship drama that, despite being a tad overwritten and a bit slowly paced, still delivers a refreshingly unique twist on the 20something’s struggle to find a soul mate. We meet Ben (Eric Rampson) and Jill (Britney Barber) who has forged a spiritual and sexual connection that appears to spark a lifetime together or does it? They are in a relationship that falters since Jill is a 24 year old lost soul much too immature to make a career choice.
Ben is an attorney living in a small studio in Lincoln Park. He is hosting a dinner party with his obnoxious brother Adam (Whitney Derendinger) and Stephanie (Kyla Thomas). Much of the early scenes outline the relationship between the brothers and their take on life, careers and family. Theses scenes need massive cuts as the play moves too slow as it wonders repetitively. The work picks up when dad (Frank Murphy) arrives to bring some sanity to the work. We see that Adam is selfish, arrogant cold-hearted man who tells Ben and Jill that he will soon dump Stephanie. Throughout the early scenes, Stephanie senses Adam’s coldness. Jill and Stephanie go to the store for more wine. Jill tells Stephanie that Adam is going to dump her. Arguments ensue as Jill embarrasses Ben, Adam and Dad.
Act two finds Ben and Jill in bed since they usually have sex after an argument. Here is where the finest scenes occur. We see that Ben wants Jill to start a career before they take the next step. Jill wants acceptance from Ben now just as she is now. They may be sexually attracted but their incompatibility is a major problem. We realize that, as presented, the two are doomed. Their relationship is impossible. If they met five years from now it would be a fairy tale. They are together now, however, so Ben and Jill must decide if their future is worth fighting for. This script covers the topic with intelligence and insight.
I liked the work of Britney Barber as Jill and Frank Murphy as Dad. Kenneth Paul Drews and Dan Filowitz are writers with a fresh sense of their generation. With some cuts, That Much Mentioned Brilliance could emerge as a strong drama.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: January 5, 2007
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