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Dates and Venue 19 –31 August 2008 @ 8pm | Playwrights Theatre Centre, Granville Island Director/Producer Sabrina Evertt Associate Producer Teri Arona Mizera Set Design Mimi Abrahams Costume Design Amy McDougall Sound Design Kevin McLardy Lighting Design Heather Young Assistant Director Fay Nass Reviewer Ed Farolan
Whether we like it or not, our world is burdened by racism and discrimination. When this play opens, we are fed by dialogues discriminating everyone, from Nazis to Jews, from Blacks to Latinos to Asians, from anything under the sun. We feel uncomfortable at first by all the four-letter words coming out of the mouths of the actors. But then, we realize that this is the reality we live in as we slowly digest this ultra-naturalist performance. Powerful indeed is this play which was originally produced by Lincoln Center Theater in New York and now performed by Vancouver actors in their 20s, most of whom are still Drama students or recent graduates of schools here in BC. In Evertt's message, she highlights the theme of racism/discrimination by citing a concrete example: her own Assistant Director, Fay Nass, a Canadian citizen with an Iranian background. She was pushed and shoved by a young woman on Granville Street, screaming at her: "Go back to Iran. Take your nuclear weapons with you." In this day and age, we still encounter situations like this, and Evertt in her notes expressed shock and hoped that this play would create a forum for discussion. There was a talk back scheduled, but I guess because of the rain and also the hour, the audience opted to go home after the curtain call. The play was powerful in itself, and the actors delivered Bogosian's powerful message. Shaun Aquiline as Tim was well-prepared and delivered his lines flawlessly. Deneth Thompson as Buff overacted a bit, especially in his drunken scenes, but was radiating with energy. Ian Harmon as Jeff was a natural. His lines came easily. Sooze (Rachel Aberle) was exceptionally good in her monologue on sex and violence. Bee-Bee (Abby Renee Creek) rose to the occasion as a rehab failure. David Villegas was perfect in his role, and carried the Spanish accent really well. Odessa Cadieux-Rey who spoke only Spanish in this show was quite convincing in her near native accent. Rhys Finnick needs to work more on his songs by putting more energy in his voice. And finally, Genevieve Fleming as the sexy Erica fit her role to the T. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a show well done! © 2008 Ed Farolan |
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