ROGUE REVIEW: All in the Timing
At the risk of sounding like judge Randy Jackson on "American Idol," what you select to perform at a fringe festival can be as important as how you perform it. In the case of Artists' Repertory Theatre, picking David Ives' All in the Timing for the Rogue was a great choice.
This jovial and thought-provoking collection of four short plays is a perfect match for the festival. The show is funny, fast-paced, engagingly philosophical and occasionally bizarre.
The last two plays of the collection, "Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread" and "Variations on the Death of Trotsky," are my favorites.
In "Philip Glass," set in a bakery, a few lines of dialogue are fractured into a minimalist-repetitive sing-song style that echoes the feel of the famed composer's work. There is an element of satire here, yes, but to me it's also laudatory. The entire scene, directed with verve by Michael Peterson, winds up becoming like a musical composition of its own. The four cast members -- Suzanne Graznya, Jennifer Hurd-Peterson, Jaguar Bennett and John Masier -- are wonderful. (It's especially nice to see Masier, a very talented actor, on a local stage again after a couple of years.) I loved the segment -- and would love to see it again.
Same goes for "Death of Trotsky," which features an excellent M. Justin Red as the revolutionary and an equally impressive Graznya as his wife. In this instance, time is fractured in a way that allows Trotsky to repeat his death over and over. Or is it just the last ramblings of a dying man in a hospital? The direction, by Jennifer Hurd-Peterson, is particularly fine. She captures not only the cheeky absurdity of the premise but also the tenderness of its conclusion.
The first two installments, "Words, Words, Words!" (directed by S. Eric Day) and "The Philadelphia (directed by Julie Ann Campbell) are a little less tight and effective, but they both have some very funny moments. Altogether, this is a polished and highly entertaining show, and in a busy Rogue festival, you should coordinate your "Timing" so you can catch it.
Playing: 2:30 p.m. Saturday 3/1, 3:45 p.m. Sunday 3/2, 10 p.m. Friday 3/7, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 3/8 at The Severance Building. Cost: $7. Rating: PG-13.
Comments:
Suzanne Graznya as Mrs. Trotsky was awesome! Funny, pretty, and in control. Loved her!
Posted by: Chango at March 1, 2008 11:43 AM
The Trotsky section cracked me up! "Why don't you 'axe' Mr. Trotsky." "Maybe he was hot to Trot-sky." The whole show was great.
Posted by: Ernie at March 1, 2008 5:56 PM
First an "America's Next Top Model" post and now a reference to "American Idol"?
Donald, I'm starting to question your taste.
Posted by: Heather at March 1, 2008 6:58 PM
All your points are right on here, Donald.
ART (Artists Repertory Theatre) continues to present work that is contemporary, relevant, entertaining, and thought-provoking...exactly what a theatre company should be doing.
The Ives plays are an especially fine choice for the Rogue. Four short plays clocking in a total of about 45 minutes gives the audience just enough time to get in tune with these well-directed, well-acted shorts, then its on to the next one - leaving you with your thoughts for the one you just saw.
The night I saw "All in the Timing", I thought the "Philadelphia" and Trotksy pieces were particularly strong - but with a little distance, I feel like all four pieces were equally well crafted. Special mentions to Jag Bennett, Mike Peterson, and Jen Peterson in the "Philadelphia" story, and to both actors in the Trotsky piece - they each communicated the subtleties of Ives' writing with great skill.
This is going to be the Rogue show you heard was the highlight of the festival. Check it out.
Posted by: jayparks at March 3, 2008 4:35 PM
Saw both shows at Artist Repertory Theatre, All thats Red, and All in the Timing. We were very impressed with both shows. It made for a both enjoyable and entertaining evening!! Go Rouge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: IN at March 4, 2008 12:54 PM
All thats Red and All in the Timing both were very entertaining, our favorites of the Rouge!!!!!!
Posted by: IN at March 4, 2008 1:00 PM
A play where the death of Trotsky is not boring has to be good and the idea of having 4 plays together is always interesting, it offers different stories and points of view to the audience. Keep the good work J. Red.
Posted by: aida at March 4, 2008 9:59 PM
I'm going *again* Friday night. I loved it.
Posted by: blake at March 5, 2008 9:02 AM
Many thanks to everyone who enjoyed the show!!! It was one of the most joyful experiences I've ever had working on a show.
(Oh, my last name was spelled two different ways in the program (grr), its actually Grazyna)
=)
Posted by: suzanne grazyna at March 12, 2008 10:18 AM
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