“Mike Pence Sex Dream” reviewed by Jeffrey Leibham

Recommended *** Have you ever been curious whether our current Vice President can vogue? That’s right, like “strike a pose” and “let your body go with the flow” as instructed by Madonna in her 1990 smash hit single. The answer lies somewhere within the absurdist comedy and uneasy disquitetude of “Mike Pence Sex Dream.” First Floor Theater is presenting the world premiere of Dan Giles’ salacious new play, under the direction of Hutch Pimentel, at their resident home, The Den Theatre.

Gary (Scott Shimizu) works for a large advertising firm and is ruthless in his attempt to land a major account, regardless of the ethical reputation of the corporation that he may be soliciting. In an almost Faustian deal, Gary lands an impressive new client, Tom (Gage Wallace), who represents the fictitious Smokey Farms, the largest producer of bacon in the country. Gary has been married to Ben (Collin Quinn Rice) for two years. Ben is a school teacher who integrates a gender-nonconforming approach to their personal style of attire. When they wears a simple yet basic blue denim dress to school, they is met with resistance from the administration and ridicule from some of the parents. Due to the stress that his high-demand position requires and teamed with the guilt that is emerging as his relationship with Tom creeps towards a sexual one, Gary has been having some rather strange dreams (hence the title of the play) which eventually veer into nightmares. All of these dreams feature the character of Mike Pence, played by both Wallace and Rice in alternating scenes. They initially start out as hilariously wry and somewhat tame, as in the first scene which has Wallace playing Pence in his tighty whities. But they become much more sinister and disturbing as the evening progresses, transitioning from simple flirting and foreplay to outright brutal, beastlike copulation.

Much of Giles’ script works very well and Pimentel has done a splendid job of balancing the funny and the horrid moments. The strongest impression is made by Tom’s monologue mid-way through the evening when he describes a novel that he is working on. With Orwellian candor it reflects elements of both “Animal Farm” and “1984.” Some things ring a bit false, however, particularly when it comes to the character of Ben. Would a school teacher, one who has already clearly upset a student’s parent, really agree to meet that parent for drinks at a local bar afterwards to discuss the situation? Or put themself in harm’s way by going into an alley behind said local bar in the first place? Shouldn’t that meeting, if it ever were to happen, occur on school grounds with some or several members of the administration present? Also, the last scene takes place eight years in the future, and while it does nicely suggest the uncertainty that lies ahead (never referencing who may be occupying the White House or what the general political atmosphere may be like but certainly hinting at a totalitarian attitude) it does not offer much in the way of any resolution.

Scenic Designer William Boles has fashioned a truly vivid set in a very compact playing space. By utilizing several large silvery metallic panels, which act as reflective mirrors and can be slid open to reveal wonderfully detailed almost dollhouse-like sets, the action moves beautifully from Gary and Ben’s kitchen to their living room to a hotel room and even the front seat of a car. The sumptuous banquet that is spread out upon their dining room table can be appreciated by partons as they file out of the theater after the curtain call, as they will walk within inches of it. Eric Backus has created great sound design and original composition. Many of his sound bites are so contemporary and up to the minute that they seem to have been lifted from CNN on the very day of the opening night performance. And without Breon Arzell’s choreography, how would we ever know if Mike Pence can dance?

“Mike Pence Sex Dream” runs through March 16, 2019

The Den Theatre (2B), 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago

Curtain Times:

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays     7:30 p.m.

Saturdays at 7:30 PM

Sundays at 3:00 PM.

Please note: there will be an added 3:00 PM performance on Saturday, March 16.

Industry Night: Monday, March 11 at 7:30 PM

Tickets:  $25, students $20. Tickets are currently available at http://www.firstfloor.com

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