“God of Carnage” reviewed by Frank Meccia

Recommended *** The definition of CARNAGE means: Noun, the killing of a large number of people. This takes the meaning of the word loosely where the evening degenerates into irrational arguments. This one hour and 15 min black comedy takes place in the home of a Lincoln Park couple, who are so into the times, that they temperature check their guests who come over before taking off their masks, The pre-text to the play is that their two sons got into an argument at Oz Park over joining a gang, and one kid had two of his teeth knocked out. The parents decide to get together and have a civilized discussion about the altercation.

Alan and Annette Raleigh played by Mike Newquist and Maggie Antonijevic play the role of the true Lincoln Park couple, she is into wealth management, and her phone obsessed big pharma lawyer Alan is her husband. They try to come to agreement on how to handle the situation caused by their child. These two were great, trying to be civilized about how kids will be kids, and then writing down terms of the discussion because of her lawyer husband, was pure entertainment. Erin Kathleen O’Brien and Mark Tacderas who play Michel a self-made wholesaler and Veronica a journalist writing a book about Darfur. Play the neurotic parent to the tee. What starts out as a lighthearted discussion about their children turns into a total irrational argument about children, sexism, prejudices into total mayhem by the end of the play.

Co-Directed by Derek Bertelsen and Robert Tobin the idea of Theatre in the round was perfect, the sets were meticulous and accurate for a condo in Lincoln Park. You made perfect use of a small space theatre.
A very fast paced, well-acted play which is the roots of this theatre company. A perfect script to bring back audiences to live theatre. Small but comfortable theatre only holds about 40 people .

The Edge Off-Broadway Theatre is located at 1135 w. Catalpa Ave. The play runs till December 12th.The ticket price is very reasonable, $20 with student and senior discounts. Tickets are available at, www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. A definite recommend to see if nervous about going back into a theatre. Masks and vaccination will be required at the box office.

Performances are as follows: