My overall impression
I thought a Neil Labute play was a safe solid choice to showcase actors in the fringe.
The amazing rating is biased as I am connected to multiple aspects of the production, however:
The performances were sharp. The play itself is a bit of a groundhog’s day scenario, where a similar setup has different outcomes and the actors truly thrived in making each scene pop with a different tonality.
The lead role was admirably played under the difficult circumstances the fringe festival, and any labor of love production, often creates.
I would have liked to see more range of depth, though I’m not sure the play lends itself to that in the character, one who is barely likeable in his state of human desperation.
Gregory James massaged the role to make the lead character someone the audience could at least empathize with, which is a testimonial to his work on the source material.
The supporting players, women with whom the lead has history, all brought A game performances, supporting the emotional weight of each vignette.
Special mention to Katherine Diaz and her tight rope walk on sensitive material as well as Rachel Parker for her courageous razor sharpness as a powerful women scorned.
Brianne nailed it as well.
Solid direction kept the play moving and within it’s two hour time slot.
Of note, the actors really held focus as the main room of the venue exploded when the LA Kings won the cup in double overtime.
All around, well done and thought provoking.
