They're coming to take me away, hah-hah.
Actors Theater of Phoenix' "Some Things You Need To Know Before 
The World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)" at Herberger 
Theater
***1/2 (out of *****)
Mark S.P. Turvin

	ATOP's latest production, "Some Things You Need To Know 
Before The World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)"  is a 
very funny show, but up front, it's important to point out that 
it's not for everyone. It's humor is great but greatly irreverant, 
and all the sacred cows are milked in this two man satire. 
	The evening, set in an old and decaying church, follows the 
rantings and ruminations of Reverend Eddie, whose mind is filled 
to the bursting point, and exposes his battles with the dark 
forces that intend to take over his increasingly fragile mind. 
Helping him through his time of torment is Brother Lawrence, a 
hunch-backed simpleton who always seems to have more on the ball 
than his superior. If this sounds like the makings for an odd 
production, wait, there's more. Reverend Eddie is being pursued by 
the Master of Disaster himself, as the Devil has challenged him to 
a fight to the death in a game of basketball. Brother Lawrence is 
seeing visions of oddly and scantily clad women who speak profound 
thoughts about his pain and torment, and tend to zoom off after 
their pronouncements. There's plenty more where that came from.
	This show is very reminiscient to Christopher Durang's 
ÒSister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You,Ó but on acid. For 
those who are easily (or even not-so-easily) offended by surgical 
wit with little anaesthetizing, and cannot laugh at religion, 
faith or intellect, then this may be the show to miss. But for 
those who are fans of nasty and biting satire, this show is one of 
the best of this season. It is clever, witty and insightful, and 
takes jabs at everything from JFK to Jesus to UFO's. Nothing is 
spared, and little is flawed in this potent script. 
	Matthew Weiner's direction is obvious though impeccable, and 
his many sightgags and improvisations with the script enhance the 
evening. Mr. Weiner's direction is able to take a left-handed look 
at things, and the show is presented in a way that never fails to 
catch the audience off guard with odd little bits and gags. 
	It doesn't hurt that Mr. Weiner has two wonderful actors to 
work with. Gerald Burgess is enjoyably over-the-top in his 
interpretation of the unstable Reverend Eddie. In the many bizarre 
dream sequences and patronizing sermons delivered from the 
decaying pulpit, he creates a character that is at once 
overbearing and pitiful. It is a difficult balance, but Mr. 
Burgess tightropes it commendably. Even more delightful is Bob 
Sorenson's simple and loveable Brother Lawrence. Mr. Sorenson 
twists his body in seemingly painful ways and uses it to create 
several funny sightgags. His descriptions of his visions are 
hauntingly presented, and his inevitable punchlines are always 
well-timed and well-delivered. 
	Technically, the show is equal to the great performances. 
John Emery's haunting and off-kilter church is the perfect 
setting, and Heather Lewis' lighting and Todd Higgins' sound 
effects are well integrated into the plot and often very funny. 
	If the script weren't as irreverent as it is, it might be 
enjoyed by a greater amount of people. There were a couple of 
walkouts during the opening night. Watering it down would be a 
shame, though, since one of its most attractive attributes is its 
democratic slamming of all things revered. For those with a 
sardonic streak, this show will definitely slam your funny bone; 
for the rest, maybe its time to stop taking everything so damned 
seriously. 

Production Details:
"...Illuminati" by Larry Larson and Levi Lee
Actors Theatre of Phoenix
Herberger Theatre, Phoenix
252-8497 or 678-2222
February 2-February 18, 1996

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