A
sensible person might ask why a critic would review a play after its
performance schedule has been completed. Such is the case with The Bald Soprano, which closed its brief
two-week run last night. After
all, what’s the point of a review when no one can respond to a favorable notice
by buying tickets?
The
answer, of course, is that local theaters, especially new ones such as OCTP,
need more than ticket sales. They need financial support. And since we appear to
be between government shutdowns for the time being, this would be a fine time to
consider a donation to OCTP.
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco is a
marvelous example of the theater of the absurd, as two couples, a maid and a
fire chief (!) trade non sequiturs (no, make that anti-sequiturs) as they inch
their way through another deplorably banal day.
The often hilarious production, directed by Sarah Greywitt, was performed with exquisite
timing, down to the smallest tongue-clicks and head turns. Robert Hawkes and Christine
McBurney were especially delicious as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a married pair who
alternately vex and delight each other for no apparent reason. And for every
reason in the world.
They
are visited by dinner guests the Martins, played with wide-eyed innocence and a complete lack of short (or long) term memory by
Stuart Hoffman and Courtney Nicole Auman. Cassie Neumann as Mary the maid and
Benjamin Gregg as the Fire Chief, also contributed sharp miniature
characterizations.
As
performed, it was a nonsensical parody of the way we converse, set against a rather
grisly landscape of pointless human existence. In other words, it was rather
sublime.
This
is a theater group that clearly deserve support. With luck, they might even
decide to explore more of the absurdist genre. In any case, put them on your play-dar (radar for theater buffs), maybe send a check, and keep
an eye out for their next production.
Ohio
City Theatre Project
Connect
with OCTP at www.ohiocitytheatreproject.com
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