Just when I thought Phoenix was getting too staid for it's own good, A. F. Productions has shown me that there can be a little bit of La MaMa in the Valley of the Sun. In a seminal work for local playwright Brenda Edwards, the newly founded group is mounting a script that addresses the foibles of modern personal and international relationships in a literally raw way, Shah Guido G. Using as it's basis a Thousand and One Nights theme, Director Ron Peer is asking his cast to expose more than the raw nerves of their characters, and the result is more revealing than I ever thought possible on a Phoenix stage.
The titled Shah Guido G. is a modern-day Sheik of Araby who has been placed under house arrest by Muslim fundamentalists. In this confined-yet-lavishly-appointed prison, the Shah has created a decadent world where his three wives and his loyal servant, who may or may not be a eunuch, act out sensual stories for the Shah's amusement. Little by little, these stories begin to take on a threatening tone, until the balance of power inexorably shifts toward those who have spent their lives oppressed. The ending is a surprise, but let's just say that the pyrotechnics of Jere Luisi's amazing set are up to his usual great standards.
Mr. Peer is unabashed in the requirements of his actors, but the result becomes a great mix of the erotic and the dramatic. As the indulgent Shah, Steve Scally gives one of his deepest, most beguiling performances to date. His bravado is balanced with occasional flashes of self-doubt, shading his characterization. Voluptuous Phoenix newcomer JoAnne Angelina is an actress I'd like to see more of (in terms of being cast, that is), and does an excellent job transforming from loving wife number one to a host of characters in the provocative stories and finally to agent with a duplicitous motive. M. Jackson Fisher is strong as the oppressed servant Harlan, harnessing his deep resentment at his constant degradation by Shah and wives and using the energy to propel himself through the increasingly sexual and violent stories. The stark moment of homoerotica between Mr. Fisher, Mr. Scally and bullying second wife Julie Lee is an amazingly intense end to the first act. While Ms. Lee fails to retain that intensity through the remainder of the play, petite third wife, as played by Diane Geste, is able to cover for this sudden dropoff, especially as the final fireworks begin.
Except for Mr. Luisi's extremely amazing set, considering the small space he is given, the remaining design elements suffer from small-theatre-itis. Shauna Rabinowitz' lighting is much too dark, although this maybe because of a lack of available positions. As my companion for the show pointed out, the unbilled costumes, on the rare occasions that they are used, beg for their removal.
One couldn't help having a tinge of regret that this wasn't a Planet Earth Theatre production, as it so perfectly fit the original mission of that defunct company. While I wouldn't recommend this as a show for the whole family, those who enjoy a good mix of erotica and intrigue should rush to the Mars Theatre Space.
Production Details:
Shah Guido G. by Brenda Edwards
A. F. Productions
The Mars Theatre Space, Phoenix (For
a map to location, click this
link)
(602) 667-0875
March 30th - April 8th, 2001