[rating=4]Robert Dubac’s “The Book of Moron” is a snappy, contemplative observational comedy that pokes fun at the meaning of truth while asking eternal questions on the nature of the human condition. Filled with biting humor and acerbic wit, this 80-minute one-man routine is the farthest thing from moronic. Don’t be deceived by the title: the performance has absolutely nothing to do with “The Book of Mormon”, except for the similarity in the name. In fact, the only reference to its namesake takes place at the very beginning of the show when the “voice of reason” rebukes us to turn off our cell phones and tells us that if we are expecting “The Book of Mormon”, we are in the wrong theater.
Dubac is chief cook and bottle washer, writing his own material and presenting it on stage as his alter-ego Robert. The premise for this performance is that Robert has lost consciousness after having been hit on the left side of his head in an accident that he has trouble recalling. He reflects on the words “stupid” and “moron” and what it means to forget some portion of his memories and his personal past (although he still can talk English and still knows how to ride a bike). He is fixated on the meaning of scruples and teasing out what his might be, especially when it comes to detecting bullshit. This is important, because before he can potentially wake up from his coma and return to his regular life, he must first open the Door of Truth and ascend through each of its four levels. The truisms revealed within each level become shockingly more accurate over time. Most concern sex, politics, and religion as well as nearly every other controversial, disagreeable, or funny subject that could serve as the butt of Dubac’s jokes or quirky analysis.
In contrast to Freud’s three components of personality (namely, the id, the ego, and the superego), Robert discovers that his personality is actually made up of five parts: his voice of reason, his common sense, his inner child, his inner moron, and his inner asshole. Each of these voices compete with one another for attention but also for precision in grasping the true realities inherent in being a living, breathing individual in today’s world.
Sometimes Dubac is derisive; sometimes he’s cutting; sometimes he’s offensive. Usually he is edgy as he exposes the cruel ironies of life as well as unusual aspects of the English language. We quickly learn what is funny and what is “over the line.” Throughout, he keeps referring back to his previous analysis of a subject to complete his thought or simply to make it funny.
The backdrop is a stylized drawing of the nooks and crannies of the brain, made to look like a herd of sheep. Among the maybe fifty sheep is the one black one. (You can imagine whom he identifies with.) The only props on stage are a creatively-inspired blackboard and a small hospital supply cart. And once every so often, Dubac might need a prop to perform a magic trick.
Writing anything above and beyond this encapsulation would ruin the poignancy and spontaneity of the humor. The audience clearly enjoyed itself. It’s a clever and entertaining performance and one definitely well-worth seeing.
Robert Dubac’s “Book of Moron” is playing for a limited time at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, Chicago, through March 1, 2020.
All tickets are $69.
Contact the Broadway in Chicago Ticketline at 800-775-2000 or visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com for purchase.
Tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway in Chicago Group Sales at 312-977-1710 or by emailing GroupSales@BroadwayinChicago.com.
There will be 20 digital lottery tickets for every performance at $25 each.
Visit www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/robert-dubacs-book-of-moron/ for more details.
In addition, a limited number of in-person rush tickets will be available for each performance at $29 each at the box office (175 E. Chestnut), beginning when the box office opens daily.
Seat locations vary per performance for the digital lottery and day of show rush tickets.
Performance Schedule:
Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 29 – 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 1 – 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
To see what others are saying, visit http://www.theatreinchicago.com go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Book of Moron”
After the show closes on Sunday, Dubac will follow up with standup comedy at Zanies on Monday, March 2nd and Tuesday, March 3rd.
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