The Upstairs Theatre Company's subUrbia at Herberger Theatre
(out of 
)Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
(out of )Summer theatre in Phoenix used to be a harrowing proposition. Over the past few seasons, though, theatres and their clientele have begun to recognize that there are more than a few people who don't crawl into a hole after the first 100 degree day. The choices are still sparse, as compared with the regular season, but there are now several reasons to brave the boiling streets.
One of those reasons is the current offering from the upstart, Tucson-based Upstairs Theatre Company, who have journeyed up I-10 and brought us their production of the tough-as-nails, not-very-pretty, twentysomething-griping play subUrbia by Eric Bogosian, the author of the infamous play Talk Radio and solo act Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. The script and production lack a certain amount of polish, but considering the subject matter, this often works to its advantage.
Set in the parking lot of a convenience store somewhere in suburban America, the play centers on Jeff and the rest of his restless group, a rag-tag collection of college dropouts, underemployed misfits, and borderline alcoholics. On this evening, they await the arrival of one of their own, a former high-school acquaintance whom, it seems, nobody ever really liked, but who has hit the big time in rock and roll, and now represents what Jeff and his friends both desire and despise all at once. In its gritty presentation and talkiness, the play covers a lot of GenX ground as well as a few base, moral and human travails in the process. The play is about twentysomethings, poses and talks in twentysomething movement and language, but does have enough to keep the older crowd interested as well.
The production is well-crafted, and contains several solid performances, but does have a few slight and irking problems. Director C. Edward Brown's staging is at times listless and uninspired, and at others shows too much of his handiwork. Just as the script tends a bit toward common whininess, Mr. Brown's direction leaves the actors to move about the stage in expected patterns, but then sets up stage tableaus that are a tad too obvious. A few of the performances are not up to the caliber of the ensemble, though this does little to damage the overall product. As Pony, the returning rock star, Evan Andrews seems a little too laid back, not imparting the energy of a hyped-up rock star trying to wind down by returning to his roots. As Erica, his publicist, Jamie Lynn Hines goes for the obvious, playing the spoiled brat in a sit-commy way that detracts from the other, more believable performances. Also, although a solid actor, Jonathan Ingbretson plays the part of the recent Air Force dischargee with power and desperation, but seems a bit too old in comparison with the rest of the cast. With these minor problems aside, the rest of the production makes up for the limitations.
The best actor of the ensemble is Josh Kasselman as the dimwitted, caustic Buff, Jeff's drinking buddy. The part is a comic relief, reminiscent of a grown-up Beavis, and Mr. Kasselman nearly steals the show with his wild assertions and ongoing clueless commentary. The show's center, Jeff, played by Marty Papazian, is generally solid, though his performance seems unbalanced, wavering between angry young man and whiny know-it-all, a difficult job since the character as written seems both at once. As Sooze, Jeff's disenchanted girlfriend, Marisa Ross does a fine job of portraying the longing and fears of a hometown-stuck artist-wannabee. Understated in her pivotal role as Sooze's best friend, Bee-Bee, Jennie Mahlick portrays the lost former alcoholic in a quietly intense way.
A.J. Epstein's lighting design and especially WK's scenic design are wonderful, using the cavernous space of the Herberger's mainstage to create the hangout effectively with what seems a limited budget. Despite a few technical glitches during the performance, Anthony Runfola's sound design generally worked efficiently. Lesely Lasseter and Jannine Doto's costume designs brought out the characters very well.
It's obvious that there has been some great theatre going on
south and west of us, and it's nice that Artistic Director Anthony
Runfola and Managing Director Michael Toubassi were able to bring
their show to the Phoenix area. Despite its few problems, this
production is generally solid, and worth a look by those who can
get past the, as the program warns, "dirty words and offensive
things said."
Production Details:
subUrbia by Eric Bogosian
Herberger Theatre, Phoenix
252-8497
June 20th-July 5th, 1997