New company Ruckus covers both the Jim McGreevey and Mark Foley sex scandals, which forced both men out of the closet into the glaring moral spotlight. It’s a clever if a bit overgrown look at life on the political downlow.
Writer Kristian O’Hare’s narrative is cluttered and tonally confusing; the humor is by turn heart-wrenchingly natural and wider than the Potomac. There’s room for both energies but not the way the piece is currently crafted. Exploring both imbroglios stretches the narrative thin; O’Hare may have to choose between stories to make this tale manageable.
That aside, the ensemble’s game; Freddie Donovan’s rent boy/page is a good sport in platform boots, roller blades and tap shoes; Julie Cowden and Stevie Chaddock bring a painful vulnerability to their wife and daughter roles and Neal Starbird works McGreevey’s white-bread sleaziness. Director Allison Shoemaker drives the pacing, which keeps us from drowning in dishonesty. (Lisa Buscani)
The Ruckus at the Side Project Theatre Company, 1439 West Jarvis, (312)307-8684. Through May 26.
Fools With Heart: A Review of The Rivals at American Players Theatre "The Rivals" has burrowed deep into the culture thanks largely to the inspired character of Mrs. Malaprop, the ignorant, but intellectually confident rich aunt who continually chooses words that sound like the ones she ought to use but miss the mark.
