by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
POW! BANG! Better learn to duck if you are going to see one of the last two performances of Eric Bogosian’s cutting edge play SubUrbia at Players by the Sea Studio Theatre on May 18th or l9th. If you are sensitive to foul language or sexual situations, you might want to consider something else to do, but if you want to see a terrific ensemble cast of great young talent, expertly directed by Chris Farrell, and you want to experience a harsh slice of life that is as true today as when the play debuted in l994, then by all means make your reservation now at 249-0289.
SubUrbia is set in the parking lot of a small convenience story in the fictitious town of Burnfield. Gathered there are disaffected twenty-somethings who present a darkly compelling take on stranded lives being thrown away.
What makes this particular night different is that they actually have a purpose for hanging around. They expect a visit from an old neighborhood buddy who has reached some success as a rock musician and is going to pay them a visit after a concert in town.
The musician’s, success actually causes hostility in the group, leading, eventually, to a tragic ending.
You may remember Dustin Whitehead from excellent performances in Visiting Mr. Green at Players and as Joe Farkas in The Last Night of Ballyhoo with Limelight. He is convincing as the alcoholic Tim, who joined the Air Force and hated it. He cut off his little finger, got a medical discharge and now gets a government check each month to buy his booze.
FCCJ student, Solomon P. Levine, plays Buff, a stoned-out skateboarder, who provides most of the humor in the show with his off-the-wall antics.
Mark Stater, a junior at Stanton College Prep, gives a strong performance as Jeff, a raging-and-angry philosopher of sorts.
Pony, the musician, is played by Conner Hickey, another Stanton student. He is excellent, handsome and sings and plays the guitar well, although his music is more folk than rock. Even though he is well off, Pony also feels the pressures of life, having to travel from town to town while writing new songs to satisfy his backers.
I loved Elle Kendell, who won a best supporting actress award from PBS for her role in Anna in the Tropics. She is Sooze, Jeff’s girlfriend, and a talented artist. She’s probably the only one of the bunch with prospects of getting out of this rut.
Flagler College graduate Melissa Norton is Bee Bee, the quietist of the group. Although just over 20, she has already gone through drug rehabilitation and is certainly hanging with the wrong crowd to stay away from drugs and booze.
Tracy Olin, who has done many roles on the Theatre Jacksonville stage, makes her debut with Players. She plays Erica, the publicist who travels with Pony. I found her character very interesting. Erica comes from a rich family in California, wears sexy clothes and apparently gets her kicks by going over to the darker side of society and having sex with poorly dressed and drugged-up guys. Ms. Olin always keeps me guessing.
Completing the cast are David Paul and Ann Roberts who play the Pakistani immigrants that run the store. They both give excellent performances as they disapprove of the unwanted visitors who have sex, urinate, throw trash, play loud music, drink, and do drugs in addition to spouting their dislike for foreigners.
Scenic Designer Anne Robert’s store and parking lot are picture perfect, and Joe Schwarz has added some evocative lighting. Josh Waller and Director Chris Farrell added the sound design that was loud at times, but got the point across. Joy Smith coordinated the costumes that ranged from stylish for Erica to downright trashy for Buff and Tim.
Live theatre allows us to experience things vicariously; things we are curious about but may not want to venture into in reality. I certainly don’t want to go anywhere near any place depicted in this show. I am sure you can find street corners like this in cities all over the country. The aimless rage of young adults is all over the headlines too often in today’s world.
Seating is limited in this theater (about 80 seats) so make your reservations early.
The subject matter is rough, but the acting and direction are excellent and real theatre buffs will want to see SubUrbia.
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