Chris (Sean Luc Rogers), about the same age, is from Clarkston, Washington, as in Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who trekked through the uncharted west and camped at this very spot in the early 19th Century.
Clarkston sits directly to the west of Lewiston, Idaho. The parking lot of the local Clarkston Costco where much of the action (minimal as it is) takes place. The City of Clarkston's Costco parking lot in reality sits directly adjacent to the Snake River.
Jake, struggling with a degenerative disease, claims a shirt tail connection to William Clark.
Chris, quietly struggles.
The guys, both college graduates.. work at the local Costco. They are gay. They stock shelves at the Carkston Costco.
Factor in Chris's "on again / off again" relationship with his mom, Trisha (Tasha Ames) who must have given birth at the age of ten. Trisha is also a struggling thirty
 |
| Michael Sturgis, Tasha Ames, Sean Luc Rogers Photo by Cooper Bates |
something waitress at a local Denny's. She has had issues with substance abuse. We now approach an uncomfortable triangle that has a little trouble getting going. Fact is that each actor is deeply dedicated to their character. Each is believable. Director Chris Fields has these folks evenly spaced and believable. It's the argument of the play? Does the playwright intend to leave us with only marginal satisfaction? Is it an anthem to gay men finding each other in an unlikely setting and growing falling in love?
The bare bones set: suggested locations are successful in Chris Fields' creative use of The Ever Changing Echo Space. No attempt at realism gives the audience the opportunity to focus on the story. Three distinct characters come to life smoothly and sincerely.
This predictable love story becomes,, at least, a sympathetic and kindly polemic that peeks beneath the each character's motivation. The audience may embrace the idea, well past Post Colornial times. Gender aside and also on deck, we are all searching: to find some sort of a "family".. where it's okay to 'be who you are' and in so doing, to 'find yourself.' Two lonely gay guys at the top of the Idaho panhandle? Each has his 'demons' that might be not so much of a problem in more sophisticated climes. Factor in Tricia's 'demon' and the conflict gives the story some traction.
Jake's serious physical condition is probably what drove him from Connecticut to Washington. The old story of just getting away from home and to find himself.. He lands where his ancestor, William Clark, made some American History and, perhaps, his own self discovery.
Chris has ambitions to write. He's heard about Iowa's storied writing program and may be focused on making it with his short stories or maybe even a novel? Jake reads from William Clark's journal, imagining the Explorers as they trekked for the Pacific Ocean.
There are moments!
Blatant foreshadowing and the odd dance that Chris must do with his mom is important to the confict. Certainly, the characters are worthy of our interest. Depression factors in. It's a difficult 'bromance' that takes us from beginning to end in multiple scenes, bare stage... punctuated with some smooth and simple changes.
Gratuitous homoerotic moments are included, as Jake and Chris attempt an acceptable conclusion. There are humorous moments and it's all wrapped up in this short full length play..
In editing this review, I'm opting out of a catch phrase to sum things up. The human interest aspect of the premise and the decent depiction of the characters makes me wonder what other critics may say. Supporting Theatre that tells stories like "Clarkston"is a goal. See it for yurself and get back to me.
Cast
Jake . . . . . . . Michael Sturgis
Chris . . . . . . Sean Luc Rogers
Trisha . . . . . . Tasha Ames
Crew: scenic designer Amanda Knehans, lighting designer Matthew Richter, sound designer Alysha Grace Bermudez, and costume designer Dianne K Graebner.
The production stage manager is Lisa Toudic. Chris Fields, Kelly Beech and Marie Bland produce for the Echo Theater Company. Public Relashuns for Theatre :
Lucy Pollak
Clarkston
• Written by Samuel D. Hunter
• Directed by Chris Fields
Previews: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 13
Performances: Sept. 14 – Oct. 21
• Wednesday at 8 p.m.: Sept. 11 (preview) ONLY
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: Sept. 12 (preview) ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 13 (preview), Sept. 20, Sept. 27; Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 14 (Opening Night), Sept. 21, Sept. 28; Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29; Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30; Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21
Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
PARKING:
FREE in the Atwater Crossing (AXT) lot one block south of the theater.
TICKET PRICES:
Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays: $38
Mondays and Previews: Pay–What–You–Want
www.EchoTheaterCompany.com
(747) 350-8066
No comments:
Post a Comment