The Ensemble Theatre's Reckless at Location
(out of 
)Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 9/11/99
(out of )The Ensemble Theatre is celebrating their fourth season by finally having a set performance schedule in a set space. By producing their three play season at Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre, they are on their way to establishing themselves the way that In Mixed Company and the various valley Shakespeare companies are attempting. This small professional company scored a big hit last season with their presentation of Durangs' Baby With The Bathwater, and hopes to capitalize on it with another Durang this season, and an emphasis on dark comedy.
Their first production of the season, Craig Lucas' Reckless, is a satire that blasts love, knowing people, and Christmas, making light of some very painful topics along the way. While the play, and the works of this playwright in general, are not this reviewers' cup of bitter tea, TET gives a solid and sometimes impressive performance of this uneven work.
Director and Costume Designer David Vining has gathered together a solid cast that do a professional job presenting these various misfits and victims. The pacing of the show is consistent, and everyone has their characters down pat. At the center is Rachel, a blathering woman whose Christmas Eve gift from her husband is a warning that he's taken a contract out on her life. She drops her identity, and joins with others whose identities are temporary, while leaving a trail of dead bodies and unbelievable situations in her quest for a single, happy Christmas. This uneven play, and other by Mr. Lucas, maybe the progenitors of the current popular style of writing practiced by Nicky Silver and others: make it fast and funny in the first act, then smack the audience in the face hard before somewhat wrapping things up semi-nicely at the end. The result is a show that is filled with alternating and unbalanced amounts of funny bits and gruesome twists. When it's funny, it can be very funny, but when it gets preachy or twisted, it begins to drag.
Despite the textual issues, the performers carry their parts off with panache. Janice Robilard is almost too perfect as the annoying Rachel, whose journey of self-discovery takes her to most every Springfield in the country. She is so whining, shallow and self-absorbed at the start, we almost understand why her husband has taken this contract out on her life. She does a wonderful job of transformation near the end, making her characters self-realization and actualization a joy to watch. Just as wonderful are Mike Prindiville as the nice-guy-in-hiding Lloyd, and Kay Kirby as his paraplegic/deaf mute girlfriend, Pooty. Mr. Prindiville does a great job taking a potentially cloying character, and giving him a fun edge. Ms. Kirby is hilarious as a fugitive with an open heart.
The ensemble is generally solid, lead by the side-splittingly funny presentations by Barbara McGrath as multi-accented therapists and the balanced handling of the uptight co-worker Trish and several other key roles by Lynn M. Jones.
It's difficult to present professional theatre in the Little Theatre space, but Tech Director Tim Hart has done a very good job in removing the rehearsal space feel. Scene Designer Vonn Lamoree has created a fluid set that facilitates the episodic script. Ryan Bushman's lighting is quite effective, especially for the car sequences. Mr. Vining's costumes are also solid. A special congratulations goes to Wanda McHatton in the often thankless position of Stage Manager, who managed to get her mostly high school-aged running crew to speedily take care of scene changes efficiently in very difficult working conditions.
Those who are fans of playwright Lucas will be delighted with the balanced, professional presentation given to one of his most popular scripts. Those who are not will still be impressed with the funny moments and good work done by this up-and-coming company.
Production Details:
Reckless by Craig Lucas
The Ensemble Theatre
Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre, Phoenix
(602) 254-2151
September 10th - October 3rd, 1999