RECOMMENDED
As one of the more experimental directors in town, Sean Graney narrows his focus down to a specific concept and then goes for it all the way. (His very funny commedia production of “Leonce und Lena” last spring was a memorable example.) As a playwright, Graney’s efforts have been less formed—and less impressive. But for evidence of his writing potential—and it is considerable—look no further than “The 4th Graders Present An Unnamed Love-Suicide, ” first staged last year by the Side Project, now in a revival by Graney’s own company, The Hypocrites. Dressed in typical Catholic school uniforms, a gaggle of fourth graders—well, actors in their early twenties, but at first glance they really do look like little kids—file into an empty classroom and sit cross-legged on the floor. A boy stands center stage and shyly explains the play we’re about to see: “Johnny wrote this before he shot himself. It talks bad about the 5th graders.” Set in the world of hall monitors, schoolyard bullies, bossy rich girls and boys who say “I like like you,” the “children” reenact the tragedy with a hyper-stilted, wide-stance awkwardness that is both a send-up of and homage to school pageants. It is funny (in a “Heathers” sort of way), strangely nostalgic (oh yeah, grammar school…), and insidiously heartbreaking. It lasts barely an hour—and it leaves you flattened. Director-set designer Jimmy McDermott is back with much of the original cast, all of whom are extremely good, manhandling their surreal, orange-colored props: a juice box, a hall pass, a bag of sweets. The faux intermission, as the children silently mill around eating punch and cookies, staring at the floor, is one of the most carefully observed scenes I’ve come across in recent memory. (Nina Metz)
“The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide” plays at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 North Southport, (312)902-1500, through September 26.
Related Stories
Love is in the Cards: A Review of Hoodoo Love at Raven Theatre No magic is required to fall in love with Katori Hall's singular play, masterfully directed by Wardell Julius Clark.- Love Knows No Law: A Review of Wedding Band, A Love/Hate Story in Black and White at The Artistic Home A timely revival of Alice Childress' 1966 play about interracial love in the early twenty-first century American south.
- Tribalism and Repose: A Preview of Prakriti: A History of the Present Ishti employs their unique blend of classical Indian dance, Indian folk and tribal dance, martial arts and contemporary Western dance to investigate what aspects of our human nature have brought us to the current political moment.
- A Present-Tense Art Form: Brian Brooks Returns to Hubbard Street Dance New York-based Brian Brooks writes a coda to his Harris Theater residency with a revisioning of his chaotic and complex "Terrain."
- The History of History: A Review of We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West… The latest from Steppenwolf's educational arm is among the most unflinching and edifying works the company has produced in recent years.
- Friends In Need, Indeed: A Review of Out of Love at Interrobang Theatre Project Elinor Cook's story of female friendship may not be perfect but real things rarely are.
