Apocaylpso!

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Apocalypso!" by Bill Donnelly

Date: Sat, Dec. 3, 11:07 AM

Quicktake on APOCALYPSO!

     Rough & Tumble's revival of William Donnelly's "Apocalypso!", first done by the industrial theatre three years ago, has a cinematic feel like their most successful collaboration with Donnelly, "Backwater" It wouldn't take much to film this millenial comedy as a low-budget independent romance. But then the audience would lose the personal touch that Rough & Tumble regulars, Kristin Baker, George Saulnier III, Irene Daly, and Jason Myatt bring to their roles. These stalwarts play Dora, who's got a message about the end of days, Gus, who's less than honest, Cal, who reads self-help books, and Dwight, her husband, with a big secret. They're joined by IRNE winner Kortney Adams as Gin, Cal's sister who's thrown Boone, her husband played by Henry LaCoste, out of the house. He's moved in with Mark Frost's Walt, a friend with a secret. And Gus is shacked up with Sherry, the bartender, played tough by Judith Austin. There are a lot of good two-scenes and thoughtful acting. The opening, between Gus and Boone would play as a ten minute piece itself. But the production as a whole would benefit from generally faster pacing and the newcomers to Rough & Tumble, with the exception of Austin, need to discover the lost art of picking up cues. Adam's character, Gin, is probably the only one where Pineteresque pauses are really appropriate.

     Still, director Dan Milstein, has given the show a nice arc, even when it seems to bog down in trivia. Ron DeMarco's abstract cityscape backed by an equally abstract "sky", surrounding the bits of furniture which defines scenes sets the mood. Perhaps Fred Harrington's live accompaniment gets a bit too meditative, and might try contrasting with the action more, but it's never inappropriate. Bonnie Duncan's costumes are a bit more subdued than usual, but entirely suited to the characters. The result is the best bargain in holiday shows. Unfortunately "Apocalypso!" doesn't run through New Year's. But then who knows when the end will come?


Apocalypso!" by Bill Donnelly, Dec. 2 - 17

Rough & Tumble Theatre at Calderwood Pavilion, Rehearsal Room

527 Tremont, (617) 933 - 8600
Rough & Tumble