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diversions
Breaking the
boundaries of 'subUrbia'
By Marten Lewerth
On-line Forty-Niner
Theater with an
edge is a good thing. Viva la edge.
Some could say that
a play featuring politically incorrect characters with little
social significance ranting about problems and frustrations
for an hour and a half might sound a tad cliché.
But, when subtly
presented with close attention paid to a playwright's words,
a production can sometimes rise up out of the gutters of mediocrity.
Such is the case with the University Players' take on Eric
Bogosian's play "subUrbia," currently showing through
Oct. 20 at the University Theatre at Cal State Long Beach.
This is not to say
that the play in and of itself is subtle. Quite to the contrary,
Bogosian's work as directed by Julie Dixon is loud, vulgar
and raucously paced. Those easily shocked or disturbed by
foul language and lewd situations (commonly found in every
neighborhood across America) would be heartily encouraged
not to attend.
But pigeonholing
"subUrbia" into a cramped little niche that someone,
somewhere once coined as "alternative entertainment"
would be a huge disservice as well.
The play revolves
around a core of three friends that spend their free time
hanging around the rear lot of a local convenience store in
the town of Burnfield, located somewhere in a suburban area
of the United States. One day, word comes that
a former local turned rock star named Pony will be paying
a visit. This news sparks a series of events that forever
changes the lives of all nine characters involved.
In Jeff (Joe Arigoni)
we find "The Thinker," a youth with desires to go
places and make a difference, but no concrete ideas for getting
there. Jeff really thinks too much about his problems, but
Arigoni brings a muted sense of responsibility to the role
and is quite effective in his delivery.
One of Jeff's main
predicaments involves the relationship with his girlfriend
of sorts, Sooze, played by Jessica Variz.
Sooze is a budding
performance artist that desperately wants to escape Burnfield
for the vibrant streets of New York City. With a look that
harkens memories of early '80s act Siouxise and the Banshees,
Sooze enters the stage on an upswing with a hilarious spoken-word
piece called "The Burger Manifesto Part 1."
As Sooze, Variz
is relaxed and confident, yet at the same time she brings
a slight neurotic energy into the mix to give Sooze that extra
little over the top flavor.
Second in the core
of friends is Tim, an Air Force flunky with serious issues
and an insatiable thirst for Budweisers. He is an idiotic,
racist meathead -- a ticking cauldron of violence set to explode
at any moment.
That Tim is so instantly
detestable can only be a compliment to actor Kenny Linton,
who really gives his all in the physical and emotional ups
and downs that Tim experiences.
Finally there is
Buff. His mantra is going with the flow and having a good
time, never getting too worked up about much of anything except
copping his next feel or high. Buff dreams of dating a porn
star that will smoke pot with him in bed and watch reruns
of "Gilligan's Island."
If any actor was
perfectly cast in "subUrbia," it was Jeff Pierce
as Buff because he has all the comedic instincts necessary
to heighten Buff's potential without coming off as annoying
or childish.
Rounding out the
cast are Megan MacMurray as the introverted and troubled Bee-Bee,
Nick Job as the returning rock star Pony, Eubani Correa as
the angry Pakistani store owner Norman, Chanell Oliver as
Erica, a record company publicist traveling with Pony and
Amylin Canaria as Norman's sister Pakeeza.
MacMurray shines
in all Bee-Bee's tender moments, and because of her performance
it's hard not to feel sorry for her character. Job might not
exactly look or sound like a rock star, but in scenes when
he plays guitar and sings it becomes evident why he landed
the part. Correa is believable as a hard-working immigrant
that can't understand why the youths are wasting their lives
and Oliver brings a sexy touch to her role.
The production is
presented simply, in a very minimalistic style. There is no
separation between actors and audience, as the seating is
directly on stage with the actors. The set, designed by Mai
Sakai, consists of only a black scrim signifying the entrance
to the convenience store, and a metal jungle gym with platforms
that the actors interact with at every turn.
By keeping everything
simple and uncluttered, there is nothing to distract from
Bogosian's words and the actors themselves.
One thing audience
members might take away from "subUrbia" is a sense
of emptiness. Some situations -- for good or bad -- remain
unresolved. A certain something akin to closure is mystifyingly
absent once the house lights fade the final time. Nothing
gets wrapped up in a nice little bow and handed out as a parting
gift when "subUrbia" is over, except for a few lingering
questions.
But maybe that was
Bogosian's point. Or is there is a point?
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University
Players
Tough
guy Tim (Kenny Linton) makes a move on record company publicist
Erica (Chanell Oliver) in a scene from Eric Bogosian's "subUrbia,"
which runs through Oct. 20 at the University Theatre.
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