IT’S MAN AGAINST AI IN MAINTENANCE
With the current threat of AI-generated digital characters taking over roles portrayed by human actors, it’s timely for Peter Ritt to comically explore this hot topic in his new play High Maintenance at The Road Theatre Company in North Hollywood Directed with insightful clarity by Stan Zimmerman this world premiere raises questions about the relationship between art and AI, and how the status quo can turn one against the other while generating laughs. After all, when a robot is built to act as “the product of theatre and big tech,” a big ego is inevitable.
Ivy Khan, Kris Frost and Christian Prentice
The luminous Ivy Khan stars as Laura Miller, a recently disgraced actor who is making her comeback playing Nora in a production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Thrilled to be working again after surviving a potential career-ending scandal, even her supportive friend and agent Gus (Merrick McCartha) could never have prepared Laura to meet her new co-star, a handsome male robot without any acting experience; one who she must train to act as “human” as possible onstage. But what happens if the robot learns to mimic human behavior and emotions so authentically that audiences will never realize a robot is on the stage? Could it signal the end of the acting profession?
Ivy Khan and Merrick McCartha
Adding authenticity through his extraordinary vocal and physical movement skills, Christian Prentice portrays Roger the Robot to a tee, with each new lesson learned a revelation to his innocent mechanical mind and body. While his many robotic movements set him apart from Laura’s softer human portrayal, as she teaches Roger to be “more human” per the request from his creator Alan Steele (Kris Frost), who sees his fortune increasing if the “experiment” really works, Laura begins to fall for Roger the Robot, believing him to be the perfect partner she has been seeking in life. When they decide to practice “the kiss” they will share in the play, there is humor and then pathos as their real feelings for each other begin to blossom.
Christian Prentice and Ivy Khan
Along the way to opening night, Samm the stage manager (Alexis Ingram) and the A Doll’s House director Vera Osborne (Amy Tolsky, perfect in her over-the-top, wry yet truthful portrayal) do their best to keep rehearsals moving along, amazed at Laura’s ability to guide Roger into a very human performance. However, when Alan sees how successful Roger has become, he secretly replaces him with Thesbot Prime (Tommy Dickie) for the opening night performance – much to the dismay of everyone else, especially Laura who knows she cannot teach being human to another robot in time to go on that night. And with her feelings for Roger building, there is no way she is ready to let him be “retired” from the play. But unknown to her, Roger has his own plan to get back in the spotlight.
Christian Prentice and Tommy Dickie
What follows is an investigation into the human ego and the need to hold on to what you think is exclusively yours, brought into focus when the two robots meet to exchange their “files.” But by then, Roger has learned how to manipulate Prime so that he can continue in the role and be with Laura to learn more about love. But can he get away with his scheme?
Ivy Khan and Tommy Dickie
Along with the talented actors, Ben Rock’s electronic projections, Brian Graves‘ moveable set, Derrick McDaniel‘s lights and David B. Marling‘s sound design create a futuristic world where human influence seems to be waning in the face of overwhelming technology. Jenna Bergstraesser‘s costumes reflects the style of each character, especially Roger who is dressed as the perfect 1950s young man in stylish high-waisted slacks.
Ivy Khan, Alexis Ingram, and Merrick McCartha
photos by Peggy McCartha
Merrick McCartha, Ivy Khan, and Amy Tolsky
High Maintenance
performs in rep with Singularities or the Computers of Venus
The Road Theatre Company
NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood
ends on May 19, 2024
for tickets ($20-$39), call 818.761.8838 or visit Road Theatre
Sundays Pay-What-You-Can
