IN A DELICIOUSLY CLAUSTROPHOBIC BOX
AT OUT OF THE BOX
Out of the Box Theatrics is presenting an intimate, hilarious, original play called Inspired by True Events – written by actor, writer and filmmaker Ryan Spahn and directed by Knud Adams – that deserves a lot of praise for its organic realism, flowing dialogue, and unconventional twists. The setting is the green room (the performers’ resting area) of a community theater in Rochester where three actors and a stage manager are getting ready to play to a full house after their successful opening. The space at Theatre 154 — where True Events opened tonight — is small, with the public (40 seats) sitting around the room-stage, sometimes inches away from the actors. I felt like a ghost prying into something I wasn’t supposed to.
Lou Liberatore, Mallory Portnoy
It starts with Dana Scurlock as Mary, the dream stage manager, precise, funny, and caring, who walks into the rundown green room to set up for the next show. Scurlock picks up the garbage left by the actors the night before, makes a fresh pot of coffee, checks with her assistant who is on stage, moving around the small room with such grace, and acting so realistically, I immediately sank into the story, even if it was a semi-silent routine. Scenic designer Lindsay Fuori helps by making the set feel authentic while using the existing architecture to serve the plot.
Mallory Portnoy, Lou Liberatore
When Colin, the leading actor, played by Jack Difalco, enters the room he is a mess. It is clear (but not trite or purely informative) that he had a special friendship with Mary just from the way the two interact. A hangover from the opening night after-party followed by a terrible fight with his girlfriend that caused a break up between the two were the cause of his unstable emotional state, impeccably portrayed by DiFalco. Nothing Mary can’t alleviate. She orders him to take a shower and a nap in the hope that she doesn’t have to cancel the show.
Lou Liberatore
Mallory Portnoy as Eileen, the actress in the play, enters with a particular kind of energizing dynamic attitude, like the first violins section of a symphonic orchestra. She fell off her bike getting there and she is vaguely angry, hurt her knee and wants attention, makes laminated copies of the good reviews, wanting to hang them outside even if it’s not allowed. This all at the same time, throwing in a bit of gossip here and there; a great entrance and a powerful performance. Lou Liberatore as Robert, the third actor in the play who arrives late because of the heavy traffic and police mayhem, is a stage vet and he plays one faultlessly; without wasting time or hurrying, he gets ready for stage like a priest who is about to celebrate his everyday Mass.
Dana Scurlock, Jack DiFalco
Spahn and Adams are not averse to throwing in doses of tension throughout the show, mice running inside the air vents or moving inside a bin (courtesy of sound designer Peter Mills Weiss), sudden screams, simple suggestions on things that could go wrong, but nothing prepared me, and the rest of the public it seemed, to the gory and hilarious long finale. Can’t say no more aside from mentioning costume designer Siena Zoë Allen, and lighting designer Paige Seber who helped make this fast moving and highly entertaining play. Wherever it’s showing, go see it; hopefully it will have a very long theatrical life.
Dana Scurlock, Jack DiFalco
photos by Thomas Brunot
Inspired by True Events
Out of the Box Theatrics
154 Christopher Street (formerly the New Ohio Theatre)
ends on July 28, 2024
for tickets ($69.50-$100), visit Out of the Box Theatrics