MERCURY AT THE ROAD ON MAGNOLIA

The Road on Magnolia presents another take on death and homosexuality and 'what if' in Steve Yockey's 2015 play "Mercury". It's a West Coast premiere.Whatever prodded Yockey to this edge of the Universe, the cutting dialogue and the absolute ensemble works.  If Alfred Hitchcock Presents meets Rod Serling meets One Step Beyond in any iteration, you have an inkling of where this adventure will take you.

A clever revolving set brings us to a series of vignettes that devolve deliberately into questions that emerge.  What if?? What if people behaving badly had eternal penalties?

Google's take on "Mercury in Retrograde" a term I've sort of understood for years, says, 

(0.27 seconds) 

"Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion which means it looks as if the planet is moving backward from our view here on earth. Astrologers believe that during this perceived backward motion, technology and communication could get disrupted, putting a damper on anyone's summer mood. "

 Yockey's play and communication regarding how I got to see the show all reflects this astrological phenomenon. 

Meeghan Holaway and Danny Lee Gomez star in the Road Theatre Company’s West Coast Premiere production of “MERCURY” by Steve Yockey, directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky and now playing at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood.

 

 

 

"While the 'official' end date is 1 January, (2024) there's a shadow phase that continues through to 20 January (2024) as Mercury returns to where it started this whole retrograde shenanigans, in the sign of Capricorn."

For The Road to tackle this loopy approach to 'what if' is a brave undertaking indeed.  We are all in the business of communication and frankly, this one is a mystery. The mystery of life.  AND DEATH.

Shows I've seen over the past several months as we emerge from death and pandemic, have turned on homosexuality, race and death.  All the folks in "Mercury" are basically white bread, so any racial theme is missing, though the gay aspect rears its head.  And, some folks die! Sort of.

As Pamela (Meeghan Holaway) and Heather (Andrea Flowers) open the play, for some reason the feeling of Leave it to Beaver meets Johnny Walker fueling the banter comes to mind. What Heather and Pamela have been up to is not all that unusual ..but in Oregon?  A next door neighbor tryst?  Heather's dog, Mr. Cuddles, has gone missing. Sadly..

The play revolves and evolves in episodes that at first seem unlikely to meld. Please stand by   It ain't pretty, but, the energy and the 'what's to come' are loaded.. literally.. for Bear!

Nick, played by Justin Lawrence Barnes whose mother is ailing and in the hospital goes off to work.  Boyfriend, Brian (Danny Lee Gomez) has has moved in with Nick.  Casting, to me might have the boys switch parts.  Downstairs busybody neighbor Olive (Christina Carlisi) has the hots for Nick and plots to have him for herself in spite of an age difference and that Nick is gay. 

Factor in bad blood (lots of blood!) and jealousy and vengeance and this romp takes us down a rabbit hole that smacks of an illustrated novel and then some.

Occult 'shop' owner, Alicia (Gloria Ines) sells magical products to 'fix' problems presented by her clientele.    Sam! (Billy Baker) barks on the intercom from..? Where?  It's an interesting very long term relationship!  You can get anything you want at Alicia's occult shop. The lethal stuff she sells comes with a warning!

There's a trip to the Netherworld and  back? For someone? and Karma and ..did I mention the blood? 

Director Anne Hearn Toblosky has her hands full of what some might call "Grand Guignol". It is truly an offal situation.. There are props and physical action bringing this to high drama, no fooling around.  Every Theatrical  succeeds or fails on how the director interprets the text and guides the cast to find the nuances and the blow ups.  Toblosky nails it as the opportunities for over the top  presentation are reigned in.  Dramatic effect enhanced by Katrina Coulourides 's beautiful revolving stage and well apppinted sets, along with spot on Tech and an impressive sort of planet projection upstage, bring this odd ball play along beautifully.  Hints along the way. Murder most foul. Sex and the strange netherworld couple all congeal with Alicia and Sam facilitating a reconciliation and a kicking and screaming addition to their bizarre collection.  All of this in Oregon where there may be bears!  I had a thought as I left the theatre.  If this show continues to sell out, having the actors swap parts might be a stretch, but what an acting exercise.  

 CAST:

Meeghan Holaway “Pamela” 

Andrea Flowers  “Heather” 

Justin Lawrence Barnes  “Nick” 

Danny Lee Gomez  “Brian” 

Billy Baker  “Sam” 

Gloria Ines  “Alicia” 

Christina Carlisi “Olive”

CREW:

Scenic Design  Katrina Coulourides 

 Lighting Design  Derrick McDaniel

 Sound Design  David B. Marling

 Projection Design Ben Rock

Costume Design  Jenna Bergstraesser

Production Stage Manager  Maurie Gonzalez. MERCURY is produced by 

Taylor Gilbert & Danna Hyams.

MERCURY BY STEVE YOCKEY

DIRECTED BYAnn Hearn Tobolowsky

MERCURY will preview on Tuesday, January 9; Wednesday, January 10 & Thursday, January 11 at 8pm; will open on Friday, January 12 at 8pm and run through Sunday, February 18 at the Road Theatre, located in The NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood.

 

Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm.

 

Ticket prices are $39; Students and Seniors are $15.00; Previews are $15.00.  Sunday Performances are Pay-What-You-Can.  Special group rates available for parties of 8 or more.  For tickets, please call 818-761-8838; visit www.RoadTheatre.org or https://ci.ovationtix.com/35065/production/1177882?performanceId=11373078 to purchase tickets online or to view complete schedule.