Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2010 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Lucid Most of us dream when we sleep, but for the most part the dreams don't stay with us in our waking hours.  There are those however, whose dreams are more than dreams, but fantasies that allow them to escape from their dull and dreary lives.  In Tony Fiorentino's latest play, "Lucid," we take a ride with our hero Peter (a strong performance by Daniel McEvilly), a young artist, who toils away doing ad work instead of what he truly wants to do.  Peter also finds himself in a relationship that scares him as his girlfriend, Becky (smoothly played by Laura Shatkus) is pregnant, which just adds pressure to the strain Peter is feeling. His co-worker Wally (the comic relief character in the script played by Jake Szczepaniak) is a copy-writer who is taking a seminar on Lucid Dreams and shares his book with Peter as they ride the "EL" home from work.  Wally leaves at his exit and Peter meets a young lady, Robin, and offers her his seat.  They talk and seem to connect; she has seen one of his works of art and likes it.  When she exits the train, she leaves behind her scarf, which Peter stuffs in his briefcase.  This scarf, a simple strip of wool, now becomes his reach to a love affair with Robin, not in reality, but in his own lucid dreams.  Just by sleeping with that scarf nearby, he is able to escape from his everyday pressures and imagine a whole other life, a fun life with a woman that cares for him and is willing to do whatever it is he wants. Most people have some fantasy in their lives, that little special dream that you recall from a time long ago, but in this case the fantasy begins to overtake Peter's actual life.  His work suffers, his relationship at home gets worse and all he wants to do is sleep.  A nap is fine or at his desk or all night long, just so he can have his time with Robin.  The lovely and very sexy Tracey Kaplan exudes personality that might just make some male audience members search for what Peter seems to have.  He in fact has her pose for a portrait (again, this is in one of his dreams) that is found by Becky.  What takes place in this tightly woven drama is Peter finds himself at a major crossroads in his life and makes a choice that one may not agree with.  You will have to judge for yourself as to if it is proper or not. Over the years, Fiorentino has matured as a playwright.  His first works, although quite funny and enjoyable were far more sit-com stories.  He now has penned a story that has much deeper meaning and insight, a "think piece" that will allow audience members to have discussions about.  You have come a long way, Tony!  The direction of "Lucid" by Braden LuBell is a clever interpretation of putting the scenes together that keeps the action going.  And the very clever set by Robert Shoquist allows us to move from office cubicle to "EL" to living room to bedroom with just a turn of the wall.  It is built out of cubicles that have a turntable effect.  Justin Wardell's lighting and Adam Smith's sound makes for a complete package.  The music used is perfect at just the right moments.  A tip of the hat to the prop master/designer Lindsay Monahan, who made every little prop work. The only drawbacks to this production are that I was unable to tell you about it earlier in the run due to so many plays opening at the same time and that you only have until February 28, 2010 to have your chance to catch the dream.  It plays at The Athenaeum Theatre located at 2936 N. Southport Ave. at Lincoln Ave. with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Tickets are a mere $20, $18 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the theater box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.