June 2010 Theatre Review by Paul Cosca
Cherrywood
What if you threw a party, and everybody came? People you know, people you don't know, even that vaguely homeless guy who may or may not have an apartment but is always drunk. Everyone comes. Some people are fantastic. Some people are revolting. You don't know many people, and that doesn't change by the end of the night. It's a party. And it's also Mary-Arrchie's new production "Cherrywood".
The
front of the program for "Cherrywood" (which aren't handed
out till after the show to reduce distraction), displays the flier
for the party. It says "Party Tonite for anyone who wants
to change". This is an interesting sentiment.
Unfortunately, it's not one that is ever realized by anyone who
actually attends the party.
So, what's the story? Three friends are throwing a party at their house. It's a pretty trashed house to begin with (with a magnificent set design by Andre LaSalle) so there's no fear of wrecking anything. So why not cram everyone in? "Cherrywood" packs in nearly 50 actors in a very small space and it's to the credit of Director David Cromer that all that chaos never spills over into the audience that surrounds it. But that's not really a story, is it?
The party begins, people start pouring in, and interactions happen. People meet other people. They get along, or they don't. They argue or they kiss. They debate about pseudo-philosophical crap. They talk a great game, but never really do anything. But is it a story? Or just a party?
Part of the confusion has to do with the kind of people that attend this party. I say the word "hipster" and it comes with a lot of connotations, whether good or bad. For me, the word hipster mostly means someone who is too cool to be affected by the present circumstances. Someone who wants to discuss the world in broad, philosophical strokes, but doesn't do much to change anything around them. And mostly, someone who doesn't have money for rent or vet bills, but always has money for booze. Honestly, I find the whole culture awfully annoying. So having 50 hipsters in a room really isn't a party I'd want to go to.
But
try as I might, I'm still not able to find a story there.
Sure, things happen. Dramatic things, even. A gun is
flashed and someone is shot. But somehow, everyone at the party
is so aloof that it's all downplayed to the point where it's just a
game. Everything is just a game to these people. Whether
the subject is sex, drugs, guns, or war. It's all just an
ironic game. And with no real conflict between characters and
no real obstacles to overcome, I'm not even sure I could call it a play.
However, it is quite an experience. Regardless of your feelings about hipsters and whether or not you like parties, "Cherrywood" is one of the most unique theatrical experiences I have found in Chicago. It doesn't always work (some bits of dialogue are about as fluffy and uninteresting as the inside of a pillow). But when it does work, there is a level of raw intensity that is hard to match. One bit of dancing, choreographed by Patrick Andrews, is breathtaking in its volatility. These are people on the brink of extreme action, and it's clear that the difference between a party and a riot is someone to aim all that rage at.
With some great student discounts available, "Cherrywood" is an experience of experimental theatre that is both riveting and perplexing. Whether you come away enjoying it or just scratching your head, it will definitely get you thinking. Whatever it was Mary-Arrchie was going for, they achieved it. And that is a great mark of success.
"Cherrywood", directed by David Cromer, runs Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm through August 8, 2010 (no show July 4th) at Angel Island (735 W. Sheridan Rd). Tickets are $18-22 and student/senior discounts are available. For more information, or to purchase tickets, log on to www.maryarrchie.com. For more information on this show, please visit the Theatre In Chicago Cherrywood page.
About Paul Cosca
Paul
Cosca is a writer, actor, director, designer, and critic who loves
the city of Chicago. Originally from California, Cosca moved to the
windy city in 2005 and got a BFA in acting from Roosevelt University.
He has acted and directed in several theatres in the city and is the
artistic Director of Brikenbrak Theatre Project, a theatre that is
devoted to challenging the way people think.
Cosca is devoted to creating a dialogue between all kinds of people in the theatre community. He believes that actors, directors, writers, critics, and theatre lovers should all engage each other, and that the flow of communication is what makes theatre such a vibrant community. He would love to hear what you think, not only about his reviews, but about other shows you've seen. Feel free to send him an email at paulcosca@gmail.com.