Raven Theatre’s “Misamerica,” explores American business’ efforts to exploit the chaos in the Middle East. Even in hell, there’s a buck to be made.
Gina (Kimberly Logan) lands a sandal manufacturer’s (Steve Ratcliffe) Middle Eastern product launch. Culturally inappropriate decisions and poor judgment mount, as a “market research” tour dissolves into a riot and Gina’s concern for the welfare of the local liaison grows.
The occasionally simplistic script (stupid, venal people trying to exploit overly naïve people) can grow tiresome, but the cast’s screwball energy saves the day: Greg Hardin scores as a smarmy boss and Lindley Wisnewski brings the funny as a wacky relief supervisor.
Toward the end, Gina and a government representative assess the complexities of the conflict. More of that tone would have provided a great counterpoint. Instead, the audience is left with the madness of our actions, which are funny and not funny at all. (Lisa Buscani)
At The Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, 773 338-2177. Through March 28.
The Fear of Change: A Review of “The October Storm” at Raven Theatre The Raven Theatre is transformed into the basement apartment of a three-flat in the 1960s on the South Side of Chicago, where a Black grandmother works tirelessly to protect her home and granddaughter from a wave of change that threatens to destroy their peaceful lives.
