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Regional Reviews: San Francisco Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Once on This Island Also see Jeanie's review of Amadeus
Dario Fo's classic parody has been around for many years and has been presented in countries all over the world in many different versions. I have to say this is the wildest version I have ever seen. Accidental Death of an Anarchist is based on a real event that took place in Milan in 1969 when a worker believed to be an anarchist and accused of a political terrorist act was held for questioning by the police. He fell to his death from the window of the police station. Later it was determined that the man was innocent. Did the police push him to his death or was his death accidental? You may ask how can this be a slapstick comedy—it is brilliant clowning comedy worthy of a Marx Brothers treatment. Director Christopher Bayes and comic actor Steven Epp have come up with a production of a play about police corruption that is breathtakingly funny. The two hour and twenty minute production hauls the audience down to the station for a rollicking interrogation of our culture. An investigation is undertaken with an over-the-top maniac with a gift of impersonation. He masquerades as the official sleuth sent to cut through officialdom, police exploitation and political malfeasance with astounding energy and cleverness and tells the audience "I'm a freaking insanity genius." Steven Epp plays the maniac almost like the legendary Groucho Marks would play the role. Epp does not just tell zippy one-liner jokes but he exemplifies one joke after another in rapid order. It's hard to keep up with this master comedian because of laughing too hard. By the end of the first act, you will need a break. In the second act he drops his Maniac character to deliver a diatribe that begins with "The Bush-Cheney Weapons of Mass Destruction Desert Storm of Lies and Deception." ("I haven't even gotten started on the drone strikes, the fracking, or why I can't download health insurance, but the NSA can watch my Netflix for free.") Epp gets brilliant and riotous support from Jesse J. Perez, Eugene Ma, Allen Gilmore and Liam Craig, a master of frustration. The gang nails down numerous song snippets, topical references and even a few silly dances. In one example the group sings the Anarchist National Anthem and then the audience joins in on the reprise. Also in the cast is lone female Renata Friedman who is uproarious as a contemptible journalist in the second act. Aaron Halva and Nathan A. Roberts composed the wonderfully commentary music and live sound effects that are a great asset to this wonderful farce. (At the performance I attended, Travis Hendrix filled in for Nathan A. Roberts on various instruments.) The rest of the design team, scenic designer Kate Noll who planned a realistic police interrogation set, costume designer Elivia Bovenzi, Oliver Watson on lighting and Michael F. Bergmann with projections add to the enjoyment of the parody. I won't recommend this to the police, politicians, tea partiers or that one percent of the American population. However, if you love excellent absurdist comedy this is for you. Accidental Death of an Anarchist run through April 20th at Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison Street, Berkeley. For tickets call 510-647-2949 or visit www.berkeleyrep.org. Coming up next is Nina Raine's Tribes opening April 11 and running through May 10th.
The musical is based on the novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Gay and it is commonly described as a Caribbean re-telling of "The Little Mermaid." It is the story of a young, orphaned peasant girl living the French Antilles who is discovered up a tree by a poor, childless couple. Ti Moune grows up and does not know her purpose in life. She begs the gods to help her. A terrible storm arrives and she saves the life of light-skinned Daniel who is a wealthy aristocrat from the other side of the island. She nurses Daniel back to health. Of course she falls in love with the handsome fellow and she is convinced that he has fallen in love with her. She follows him back to his side of the island only to learn she has found a different world, a different Daniel, and a different fate than what she had hoped. Choreography by Gerry McIntyre, a member of the original 1990 Broadway cast, is stunning. The entire cast whirls, frolics, stomps, waltzes and leaps at full speed. All have fabulous voices, especially Salisha Thomas who plays the orphan Ti Moune. She has exquisite vocal cords singing "Waiting for Life" and "Forever Yours." She is pleasantly innocent and her resilient voice conveys terrific passion. Dawn L. Troupe and Berwick Hayes are charming as Ti Moune's adoptive parents, while Max Kumangai gives a charismatic performance as Papa Ge, Demon of Death. He becomes very terrifying in this role. Safiya Fredericks contributes a feisty performance as Asaka, Mother of the Earth. Paris Nix succeeds in making Daniel compassionate in spite of the character's submissive nature. Rotimi Agbabiaka, Michelle Cabinian, Omari Tau, Adrienne Muller and Khalia Davis are exceptionable both in the voice and dance department. Joe Ragey's painted sets show imagination, giving the audience the feel of a hot West Indies setting. Cathleen Edwards' headdresses for the gods are boldly inspired while Pamila Z. Gray's lighting fills the stage with vivid color. William Liberatore leads a joyful six-member band who bring out the best of the engaging rhythms and melodies in the high energy score. Director Robert Kelley keeps the production going at an energetic pace. Once on this Island plays through March 30th at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For tickets call 650-463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org. Coming up next is a hilarious spoof of The Hound of the Baskervilles adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. Following this will be Sondheim's Marry Me a Little opening On June 7th. Both will play at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. |
