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Regional Reviews: Florida - Southern The Trouble With Doug Also see Jeffrey's review of Dividing the Estate
A wonderful space, reminiscent of the larger Off-Broadway houses (especially the Village Gate), this is a venue that lends itself to a plethora of styles and projects. Last night was the opening of The Trouble With Doug, a new chamber musical by Will Aronson and Daniel Maté. Loosely reminiscent of Kafka's "Metamorphosis," it tells the story of Doug, a man in his late 20s who develops a little problem: slowly, but very surely, he finds himself morphing into a slug. While Doug is the centerpiece of the production, the interest lies in the reactions of his "typical" family. What happens when a beloved family member experiences a catastrophic event? Is he into drugs? Is he a criminal? Is he terminally ill? Does he turn into ... a slug? Essentially, Doug's transformation is a metaphor for just such an event. Patti Gardner and Barry Tarallo, as Doug's parents, act and sing their feelings warmly and, when called for, with great humor. Shane Tanner has a greater challenge. As older brother Vince, he has to stay at one level through most of the evening, before he is reminded of his great love for Doug, which he expresses in, by far, the most beautiful song of the evening, a ballad called "I'm Not Crying." Along for the ride is Doug's girlfriend Vanessa, and actress Alix Paige has the toughest going in the musical, artfully fleshing out an underwritten role, which reaches its nadir when she attempts to have intimate relations with her boyfriend, who is now a full-fledged slug. And what a slug! Clay Cartland is extraordinary as Doug. Through most of act one he is a happy-go-lucky IT pro who is getting ready to move to San Francisco with fiancée Vanessa. At the first ominous signs of transformation, he brings us into his world. He excuses himself to go to the rest room and in a confluence of body language and facial incredulousness, let's us see what inner torment he is experiencing. In act two, when he has fully transformed, his sweetness overtakes the stage and we can't help but love this guy. When Doug is released to what will be finally his new home, I defy anyone not to have a tear or two welling up. This is a bravura performance reminiscent of Zero Mostel's in Rhinoceros, and much of the credit goes to Margaret Ledford, the innovative director who, with Cartland, makes us truly believe what is happening. What a feat for Ledford to pull off. She took a difficult piece and finessed it into a production that will result in people of all ages being emotionally affected. Credit musical director Paul Reekie and his "orchestra" of Glen Rovinelli and Elena Alamilla for transforming the toughest score I have heard since The Adding Machine into a gorgeous aural symphony. Beautifully lighted by David Nail, naturally costumed by Ellis Tillman, and stage-designed by James Morgan, an unusual, delicate piece has been crafted into a must-see event. There is such a dearth of viable, entertaining, thoughtful new theatre. How refreshing to have The Trouble With Doug in our own, if you'll pardon the pun, backyard. Arts Garage presents The Trouble with Doug, a new musical by Will Aronson and Daniel Maté through May 11, 2014. 180 NE First Street, Delray Beach. Ticket prices are $30 to $45. For tickets and performance information, please call 561-450-6357 or visit artsgarage.org.
-- Jeffrey Bruce |
