RECOMMENDED
From the cluster of six plays that constitute Canadian dramatist George F. Walker’s “Suburban Motel” cycle, Famous Door Theatre presents two comedies that unfold within the same seedy motel room, involve a motley crew of loveable losers and explore the ways in which these derelicts connect through violence, exploitation and loneliness. Both are superbly acted and strongly directed, but the presentation in one evening of two otherwise independent and stylistically divergent plays makes them susceptible to inevitable comparison. When this happens, “Adult Entertainment”—a black-comedy-infused taut drama about corrupt cops—comes off better than “Criminal Genius”—an in-your-face farce about a dodo-brained father-and-son team of nonviolent hoods. Unlike the fully realized humans in the former (who seethe with equal parts revulsion and tenderness for each other), the cartoon characters in the latter have very little purpose outside of mouthing Walker’s jokes about their own stupidity, which although hilarious sometimes overstay their welcome. Furthermore, while “Criminal Genius” panders to your prejudices towards the kinds of pathetic souls relegated to motel rooms for cheap laughs, “Adult Entertainment” surprisingly challenges them through smart humor. Still, this entertaining—if awkward for me—pairing showcases Walker’s range and makes for theatre so wickedly enjoyable I wish the four other “Suburban Motel” plays were waiting in the wings. (F.O. Almeida)
This production is now closed.
Related Stories
- Close to the Bone: A Review of Naked at Trap Door Theatre Trap Door Theatre’s staging of “Naked” by Luigi Pirandello is a little bit too close to reality to warrant production.
- Engendered Intrique: A Review of Monsieur d'Eon is a Woman at Trap Door Theatre Trap Door Theatre's latest trades the company's hallmark expressionism for political farce.
- Inert Energy: A Review of There is No Power for the Electric Chair at Trap Door Theatre Imported from the Balkans, this new play at Trap Door Theatre reflects the limitations of the company's Euro-centric model, both in terms of politics and stage craft.
- Impressive Arrival: A Review of Yerma at Theatre Y and Red Tape Theatre This co-production with Red Tape Theatre marks a mature and invigorating new phase for Theatre Y.
- Good History: A Review of A Home on the Lake at Piven Theatre Workshop and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Piven Theatre Workshop and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre co-produce this place-based world premiere about Evanston's racially-charged history.
