Methtacular

[rating=4] I will start this by saying that I am in hopes that all of you and your loved ones are safe during this “Covid-19” situation. With the theater’s being closed, I know that I am going thru withdrawl. In order to keep some shows alive and comply with the health laws of no large groups, some of the theater companies have opted to do “streaming” of their productions. Lats night Julia watched the Theater Wit production of “Teenage Dick” ( review to follow) and tonight, The 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, opted to stream the show they had to cancel. “Methacular” written and starring Steven Strafford.

Rather than have him do the show “live” they chose to stream the production that he did at Steppenwolf’s 1700 stage. By doing this, they are in accordance with the rules and regulations of the no more than 10 people in a gathering. Yes, I would have loved to see Steven do the show live and in person, as he works off the energy of those who war in the audience, so to have him be alone with a piano player and 50 empty seats in Berwyn would not have enhanced the production in any way. Thanks to the clever people of the 16th Street Theater and of course Equity for allowing the streaming, many people can enjoy the comic touch to an autobiography that took years to make complete.

“Methtacular” is a funny piece but one that gets deep into the life of a young actor who finds himself away from home, living a life that he dreamt of, but never truly experienced until the drugs allowed him to proceed. Strafford hold nothing back. He talks about his loved and losses. We meet his mother ( by video) and while he is alone on the stage for almost 90 minutes, we know that the characters who made his life both pleasant and miserable are on the stage with him. The music is by various writers ( including Strafford himself) and the piano is handled by William TN Hall, who is offstage.

The 90 minutes is divided into scenes or sections of his life and cleverly directed by Adam Fitzgerald, who allows Steven the ability to tell the story in his own way…brilliantly!

This is a gutsy show that many might be afraid t bring to the public, but Strafford, who many know from his appearances on the local stages felt the need to open his heart and his mind as part of his  “cure” from the life he once led to the life he has today. The beauty of his doing so, is that others who are in a “bad place”, in seeing this may see that however hopeless one might feel their life is, there is indeed a way that it can get better.

“Methtacular” will play thru April 4th. Here is how this process works:

Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays at 3 p.m. ( March 29th)

You purchase your streaming tickets at www.16thstreettheater.org

or you call 708-795-6704 ext 107

Your cost is $12

You will be watching it in your home, on your own computer, phone, tablet or smart TV

One hour before the engagement you select, you will get an e-mail with a password protected link that will expire at midnight of that night ( so one view is all you get).

There is a curtain speech prior to the performance so that you feel you are in fact in the theater for a theatrical experience.

On Thursdays and Fridays, there is a talkback with Strafford  from 9:15-9:30 p.m.

This is something special and for those of you who might be missing the theater, a chance to get away from your television life and see some really good theater.

I am uncertain if nayone else reviewed this production, but you might want to check at www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Methtacular”.