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Recommended
Tom Williams
Date Reviewed: June
21, 2008 |
Intense
drama about a journey toward destruction.
Sam Shepard’s signature work, True West, is a controversial piece that
unfolds as a primal Cain and Abel black comedy/drama about two starkly
opposite brothers. This play helped Gary Sinise and John Malkovich
launch Steppenwolf Theatre’s first Broadway remount in 1982. True West
is a violent, over-the-top piece that deals with the family curse that
haunts two brothers. Redtwist theatre’s production almost gets to
Shepard’s intentions.
Shepard gets into the heart of a dysfunctional family where we meet
Austin (Johnny Garcia), a successful LA screenwriter house sitting for
his mother away on a vacation in Alaska. When Lee (Paul Joseph), the
crude petty drunken’ burglar arrives just as Austin is negotiating a
major screen writing deal, the chaos begins. The brothers go from
tolerating each other to down right physicality as each struggles with
their self-image. Their common bond is the strong influence of the
dysfunctional father who still haunts the brothers despite his
abandonment of the family. The desert looms as the family Mecca.
Lee is a chip of the old block and Austin is trying hard to escape the
family curse. When fate twists each brother’s role, we witness the
duality of the human personality as Lee transforms into Austin and
Austin becomes the scruffy amoral criminal that is Lee. It seems that
only when drunk can either brother become honest. And only through
physical violence between the siblings can true art be created. Shepard
seems to be saying that fighting is essential to the creative struggle.
That art does indeed come from chaos.
Paul Joseph was
terrific as the wound too tight brother who often has violent displays
of raw emotion. Joseph’s display of rage was chilling. The
brothers exchange characteristics of fear, anxiety, despair and rage in
reverse order.
This riveting play is 95 minutes of strong drama played to the fullest
and paced for maximum impact by two capable actors. Johnny Garcia’s
laid back style made his transformation harder to believe. This intense drama will shake you to your
core as you witness the destruction of the brothers. Sam
Shepard’s play may not be for everyone but for those who appreciate a
glimpse of a family curse in action, True West delivers a shocking
impact. We see how ill-fated dreams and mislaid plans with a clever
plot twist. This play is worth a look.
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***
out of **** stars
by Ruth Smerling
TRUE WEST,
A NERVE SPLITTING SPECTACLE
AT THE REDTWIST THEATRE
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Si Osborne is a well known and acclaimed
actor. He’s received heaps of praise and a Jeff Award for his work in
THE FAITH HEALER and he’s delighted audiences all over Chicago for the
last 20 years. Everyone has a favorite Si Osborne show. But my favorite
is Sam Shephard’s over the top black comedy, TRUE WEST, at the Redtwist
Theatre. Si is not in the show, he’s behind the scenes directing a
performance that jumps out on stage walking on eggshells.
TRUE WEST is one of Shephard’s best known works. It’s been performed
widely in Chicago and savvy audiences use it as a basis of comparison
and a frame of reference for works by other playwrights. Enough good
companies have done this work, for a new cast to have a lot to live up
to. Redtwist veteran, the great big, loveable teddy bear Johnny Garcia
steps to the plate as Austin, an ambitious and obedient screenwriter
working on a big script. He’s got a deadline to meet and he’s a nervous
wreck. He’s moved away from his wife and kids to stay in his mother’s
house while she’s in Alaska. Unfortunately, his drunk drifter/petty
thief brother played by tall, wiry Paul Joseph (KEELY AND DU) is in the
house too. As successful and main stream as Austin is, is how opposite
Lee is. Lee’s biggest accomplishment in the course of a day is drinking
a six-pack then sitting down to watch TV on a stolen set. They’re
“40 miles outside of Los Angeles,” and any minute Saul (Scott
Jones), Austin’s vain, fast-talking agent is due to have a meeting
about the script. The tension is immediate and Austin’s heartbeat is
almost palpable. To keep the peace Austin may have to compromise his
polished image and do battle base and feral brother.
Paul Joseph is often
cast in unglamorous roles. He plays the kind of guy who can capture
your interest against your better judgment. This thoughtful,
intelligent young actor makes his Redtwist debut as the dangerous and
volatile Lee, wreaking havoc on his brother who just wants to do his
job, make a lot of money and drive back to the home he’s built for his
family. Johnny Garcia, who has worked either on stage or behind the
scenes on nearly every show produced in that space is a perfect foil,
as the gentle, reasonable brother crushed by Lee’s machinations.
Saul shows up and Austin’s biggest fear is realized, Lee weasels his
way into the conversation and gets Saul to invite him to a game of
golf. While they’re playing golf at Saul’s exclusive country club, Lee
pitches his idea for a movie. Saul, who is not as pristine and
impervious as Austin would like to think, has lost so much money to Lee
who now adds golf hustler to his resume. Saul agrees to take Austin off
the project he’s working on to devote time to writing Lee’s script,
promising a payoff of over $300,000. Austin is crushed, he has to do
whatever Lee says. Not only has Lee proved a distraction, but he’s
ruined his career. Soon Austin is drunk from dawn to dusk, stealing
from the neighbors. In order for Lee to become a screenwriter like
Austin, Austin has to be a bum like him.
The story unfolds in a series of scenes that are disconnected. There is
a dramatic blackout after each scene. When the lights come up, there is
a strong sense of a lot of time elapsed. Kevin Durnbaugh’s set design
is striking. Everything starts clean and beautiful like mom (Ana Maria
Alvarez) left it. The walls are bright yellow and cheerful. Maria
DeFabo’s lighting design works subtly but powerfully, as the boys start
the struggle to maintain stability in their relationship, the room
gradually becomes darker and the focus keeps shifting.
TRUE WEST at the
Redtwist is intense and beautifully cast and a triumph for Si Osborne.
TRUE WEST runs through July 13. For tickets and information phone
773-728-7529 (RAV-PLAY). Or send an e-mail to
reserve@redtwist.org. Visit the website at www.redtwist.org to learn
about the exciting upcoming season and other events and activities at
the Redtwist.
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