“Obliteration” reviewed by Mark Reinecke

***** The country has changed remarkably since Andrew Hinderaker’s Obliteration had its sold-out premier in Chicago last year. As we simply try to cope in an increasingly unfamiliar and shadowy time, it’s easy to feel as if we entered “the great teeth clenching,” a national moment of assuming a crash-landing position bracing for impact.

When our national treasures and priorities come under attack, you seek your preferred drug of choice (preferably an art form) to face and then leave for a brief moment the current-day threats. Although this production is certainly a creative, high-water mark, it serves neither to “obliterate” this collective angst nor to advocate for societal changes. More simply, this is a captivating story about the pain and joy of being human. Here you will find two convincing actors on stage, trying to make sense of a world falling apart, as their lives are barely hanging on. And their drug of choice? Humor. And toward the end, we hear from the male protagonist, “Our intent is not to make light of what you are feeling, but to make light out of it.”
Obliteration writer Andrew Hinderaker is not interested in giving us a feel-good teether toy for social soothing. Far from it. This production gives us two immensely talented and accomplished actors, Michael Patrick Thorton (Neal) and Cyd Blakewell (Lee) who disrobe before our eyes (mostly metaphorically) to bare their souls to get through to us. You will watch them unzip and let their raw honesty hang out for the audience to touch and absorb. This fearless and daring approach, under the direction of Jonathan Berry, made this a perfectly – and darkly – funny experience. As personal and painful revelations and life-long humiliations unfold by two actors playing stand-up comics, this reviewer was touched, tapped, trapped and kicked in places I never knew existed.

After a short-recorded audio from comedian Sarah Silverman, Michael Patrick Thorton rolls out onto the stage and introduces himself as Neal. From his chair, he points out the irony of doing “stand-up.” And he shares one of his go-to roller-coaster stories on the origin of his injury. Soon enough, Neal meets Lee, a hot mess of anxiety and bold bravado. Both look to each other for help. A thrilling roller-coaster ride unfolds as these actors mirror and magnify each other’s pain and comedic abilities. We learn of their tragedies and witness their vulnerabilities and resilience. And we now begin to see, if we layer our own challenging life experiences and vulnerabilities against those of Neal and Lee, “obliteration” is a concept on a continuum. We each process and cope with heartache on our own timeline and with varying abilities. And, the test is simply whether we are able to resume our lives after tragedy strikes.
Hinderaker writes with passion and clear communication, all of which is delivered in a riveting, confrontational and unpretentious stage presence by Thorton and Blakewell. In the process of baring souls, the painful content is infused with a brooding intensity that is, at times, almost unbearable. Along this strange journey, these collaborative, comedic actors earn some serious laughs. And we learn the truth as to what really happened to Neal and what drives Lee to seek the improv stage. The reward for those who listen: pick up the pieces, continue to live a full and active life as possible, and don’t be obliterated by life’s inevitable blows.

Throughout the show, there is a tension or uncertainty between actual personal revelations and raw fictional content. Artists of every medium do this all the time to color and enrich their work. Given the intimacy of the setting, Hinderaker’s unrelenting and unpredictable script, and the skill of these actors, this question is resolved by looking directly into the artists’ eyes to get your answer. Be a part of this indelible, stunning moment in Chicago theater.
Obliteration will continue thru May 4th with performances as follows:

Thursdays:8:00pm

Fridays:8:00pm

Saturdays:8:00pm

Sundays:8:00pm

Show Type: Comedy

   www.the-revival.com

Approximate Run Time: 2 Hours
The Revival – 906 S. Wabash Ave

General Admission: $35 Student: $25 tickets at www.the-revival.com

to see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Obliteration”.