“Catch As Catch Can”

*** There are many theater people who talk about “Type Casting”. This is when certain actors are always playing roles that are about the same, and very much a fit to their own persona. Many of us are quite familiar with actors like Gary Cole from NCIS, The West Wing and even some episodes of Chicago Fire. Tim Hopper is always thought about as the “Maytag Repair Man” ( replacing Jesse White), and as the Arson Investigator on Chicago Fire, and Audrey Francis ( Steppenwolf’s Co-Artistic Director ) and someone who has done a lot of work in and around Chicago’s stages and TV shows. Three talented actors, directed by Chicago P.D.’ Amy Morton in what I might call a “tour de Force” written by Mia Chung, called “Catch As Catch Can”.

In this one act play ( roughly 110 minutes with no intermission) these three actors take on 6 roles where they bridge both age and gender looking at telling a story about two close families and turning points in the lives of each and every one of these brilliantly portrayed characters. Each of the actors takes on roles that are a far cry from who they are and each character is unique and quite memorable.

The play deals with a young man who has spoken about his fiancé returning home and the two families that have been besties, so to speak, are allowing us to break the fourth wall and peer over their shoulders as much is revealed about who they are and what secrets they hold dear. The playing of different roles, both through gender and age allows each performer to dig deep into their own personality and find that which is indeed a deep part of their inner self, and then share with the audience.

While some audience members may find themselves confused as the play opens and Cole & Hopper appear to be a Gay couple in conversation about their sons and their lives. But if you listen close to the dialogue you know that while these are male actors, they are playing two very close female freinds, and the conversation is about their sons. The play moves quickly, scene to scene on a wonderful ( and quite diverse) set designed by Andrew Boyce). The lighting (Yuli Nakase Link) and sound (Mikhail Fiksel) are well done and the costumes by Izumi Inaba are genderless.

While I found the storylines fairly easy to follow, it was the performances that held my interest for every moment of this brilliant work. As you might have noticed, the brilliance of the piece is not the actual play, but the outstanding performances by three of Steppenwolf Theatre’s Ensemble Members. I am quite familiar with Cole and Hopper and knew that they would be up to the task, but in the case of Ms Francis, I had only seen a few of her works, and while she was terrific, what she does in this play is what I might call “Jeff Award” worthy.Her handling of character Lon Lavecchia and Daniela Lavecchia are powerful and amazing to watch. As I said before, the story might not be the best one you might see, but the performances are the best!

After the curtain call, they offer an opportunity to be part of a discussion that will give you a better understanding as we examine ourselves on the ride home. Do we each have several personalities? Are we different on different days, or with different people? Do each of us try to project a different person to others, and depending on the situation, does this change? I think this play will open your eyes and give you something to think about after the show, and possibly for some time to come.

“Catch As Catch Can” will continue at Steppenwolf Theatre, Downstairs Theater at 1650 N. Halsted Street, in Chicago thru July 12th with performances as follows: