****Many theater audiences are quite familiar with the work of Kristoffer Diaz, and to celebrate the 40th season of American Blues Theater in Chicago, they are presenting a World Premiere of his new work, ” Things With Friends”. This unique story that is told in one act ( 90 minutes) on a set designed to bring us the feeling that we are in a superb Manhattan Condo or co-op ( designed by Grant Sabin) and is smoothly directed by Dexter Bullard, who utilizes the entire theater to create the special effect that Diaz created.Because this is a premiere, going from readings to production, it is a joint venture between the two creators to find the happy medium where audiences will comprehend the true meaning of the story, no matter how complex it may appear, and this ine is quite complex. At the very onset of the play we meet NYC ( an amazing character played to perfection by Nate Santana). NYC represents the book itself along with the city of Manhattan, or perhaps a symbol of all things New York. As he strolls through the audience working them so to speak, we get the feeling that he might be the creator of the action that we are about to see ( in other words, the playwright). While he works the audience, there are times that he takes to the stage and has interaction with the actors playing their roles. Well done, for sure!
The story is about New York and two couples. The home ( condo) is that belonging to Burt (deftly handled by Casey Campbell) and his wife, Adele ( The always reliable Audrey Billings). They are expecting some old freinds, former neighbors for a little dinner, some wine and an evening of friendship. The other couple, Vy (a powerful performance by Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel) and her husband, Chabby ( Jon Hudson Odom in what I might call a break out comedic character with evil intentions). It turns out that each of these couples has a different idea of what their relationship was, is, and might become.
There is some wild dining and drinking and some mysterious bottles of wine appearing out of nowhere as well as some real cooking appearing to be taking place on the stage. I think there has to be some true credit to the prop designer, Amy Peter, on this. Bravo! The steak looked good enough to eat ( and the actors did) and when we get to the “sides”, you will not believe what you see. There are some wild and wooly activities in this play that I do not feel anyone should tell you about other than to say, this is a play that will talk to you about relationships. This play deals with absurdism to the nth degree and even if you pay close attention, there are some things that will eascape you, so make sure you watch closely because like magic, the hand is quicker than the eye.
The last character in the play is Joony ( played to perfection by Maya Lou Hlava). She is the daughter of Vy and Chabby, and is quite the character. She might be more of a caricature representing all the crazy teens and young adults that we know of today. She is a vegeterian who enjoys steak. She is open about everything and althoughther parents have tried to convince Adele and Burt that New York is going to come to an end and they need the condo and all the others on the floor to set up a business, her news changes all of the high spirited blackmailing going on. That’s about all I can tell you, except the side dish turns it all around and the ending is one big surprise.
Is this the greatest work by Diaz? Only time will tell , but this production with all of its parts is solid and entertaining and who could ask for anything more. By the way, the tech aspects of the production are truly sharp. Levi J. Wilkins ( lighting), Rick Sims (sound), Lily Walls ( costumes), and R & D Choreography (violence design) are all on target for putting all the puzzle pieces in just the right spot.
“Things With Friends” will continue thru October 5th with performances as follows:
Wednesdays (9/10 and 17)2:00pm 9/24 -7:30 p.m.Thursdays 7:30pm
Fridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 7:30pm (9/20 3 p.m.)
Sundays 2:30pm
American Blues Theater is located at 5627 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago
Show Type: Drama
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Things With Friends”.
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