A NEOPHYTE BROWNSHIRT
UNDER A BLUE WALL OF DEFENCE
Written by June Carryl and directed by Michael Matthews, Blue is a 60-minute nailbiter which has been extended to July 3. Rogue Machine Theatre Company has inaugurated The Henry Murray Stage upstairs at the Matrix on Melrose. This erstwhile rehearsal room has been transformed in this production to a dark police interrogation room. With a bright light shining down on a white Sergeant, Sully, with 29 years on the force, the 30-member audience sits on both sides of him, as if we were watching from behind a two-way glass.
He is being investigated by a black, female detective, Parker, whose husband was once a partner of Sully; she is trying to uncover the truth about the shooting of a young black man in a tony area near the Hollywood Hills. As the onion layers peel back, we discover a neophyte brownshirt underneath Sully’s blue wall of defense (he was even seen at the January 6 attack on the Capitol). This is a dream play for those who want to see these Proud-Boy types get their comeuppance — half the patrons rooted when the Sergeant would get cornered. John Colella and Julanne Chidi Hill are amazing actors, and Hill especially does a yeoman’s job filling in for some missing background.
This is an auspicious world premiere for Carryl, an excellent writer, who could expand this work, hopefully developing some conflicting empathy for Sully, who at this point is a duck in a shooting gallery. This, in turn, may allow more background for Parker. But for up-close powerhouse intimate theater, this is definitely recommended as is.
photos by Jeff Lorch
Blue
Rogue Machine
The Henry Murray Stage upstairs at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Avenue
Sat at 5; Sun at 7; Mon at 8
ends on June 5, 2023 EXTENDED to July 3, 2023
for tickets, visit Rogue Machine
