On May 20th, this critic will light yet another candle in a series of candles this season that mark the departures of Phoenix-based talent for greener pastures. That is the day that Michelle Gardner ends her run in the hilarious and touching one woman show Blown Sideways Through Life by Claudia Shear and heads to L.A. She belongs there. It will be good if they appreciate this talented woman and keep her gainfully employed as an actress a way that Phoenix has not been unable to. I don't blame the producers and directors of the professional theatres in this burg. Percentage-wise, she's had her share of good roles over the past 10 years. It's just that a successful working actor in Phoenix is an oxymoron. Our loss is their gain.
Ms. Gardner proves that statement with every nuance in the 85-minute work she offers. The life she imbues in the Claudia character that Ms. Shear has created is a testament to the growth Phoenix audiences have witnessed in this gifted performer. When Claudia goes into the hilarious litany of final sentiments uttered upon the loss of each job in her long series of menial tasks, Ms. Gardner's timing is impeccable. She feeds off the audience and offers a fabulous feast in return. Without a hesitation, she will stop the audience's laughter with a poignant comment that makes the humor become cutting and introspective, as when she describes her time as a receptionist at a whorehouse. The pain of her weight problems and the beauty of her dreams are always prevalent. In concert with Victoria Holloway's seamless direction, Ms. Gardner is able to make every description of the low-end service jobs she suffers through pertinent to each member of the audience.
Ms. Holloway trusts her performer to make Claudia her own. There is movement, and there is blocking, but everything flows naturally from Ms. Gardner. Together, actress and director work their magic. All is not perfect, mind you. For example, it is difficult to believe the character's references to Catholic images with Ms. Gardner's unmistakably Jewish upbringing. The very few times this occurs does nothing to mar the many, many moments when Claudia envelopes Ms. Gardner as tightly as a layer of skin.
Gro Johre's desk/platform of a set with mysterious ladder rising behind offers Ms. Gardner many levels on which to play. Paul A. Black's lighting subtly transports us through each of the locations of her employment happiness and despair. Jean-Louise England's costuming is multi-purpose, but not particularly flattering. Impressive offerings come from Dave Temby's sound design, and Cat Dragon's properties.
I personally wish Ms. Gardner luck. I hope never to see her again on a Phoenix stage, and I mean that in a good way. It's time for her to polish the many talents she's developed here in the valley with consistent work in L.A. If, though, L.A. doesn't recognize what she has to offer, I'll gladly review her again. Their loss would be our gain.
Production Details:
Blown Sideways Through Life
by Claudia Shear
Actors Theatre of Phoenix
The Herberger Theatre Stage West, Phoenix (For a map to location, click this
link)
(602) 252-8497
May 4th - 20th, 2001