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A Steady Rain
By Keith Huff
Directed by Russ Tutterow
At the Royal George Theatre
1641 N Halsted
Chicago, IL
Call 312-988-9000, tickets $40 - $50
Tuesdays thru Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 & 5 pm
Running time is 90 minutes without an intermission
June 8, 2008
Riveting, emotionally wrenching powerful cop drama remounted at Royal George Theatre
First developed at Chicago Dramatists, under the steady direction of Russ Tutterow, A Steady Rain still possesses its raw power and deep emotions at the Royal George Theatre’s 150 seat theatre. The mesmerizing and emotionally draining drama A Steady Rain, Keith Huff’s great new drama about Chicago cops is a “must see” drama that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat as it chills you deep into your bones. Keith Huff as penned a masterpiece of dramatic theatre. This remount of the six week sold-out world premiere from 2007 was one of last year’s finest new works.
The play’s structure presents two veteran cops sitting at a desk in an old rundown police station. They tell their story in first person narration and we are riveted from their initial exchanges. Huff doesn’t waste a word as he introduces us to these flawed but basically effective street cops.
Peter DeFaria is Joey, the bachelor cop, who is the loyal and supportive beat car partner to the commanding and intense Denny, Randy Steinmeyer in a spellbinding turn, the family man and aggressive street cop. The two have been friends since grade school. Realism plays here as the drama reminded me of my days as a blue shirt beat cop with the 18th Chicago Police District (1972-80). Huff comes from a police family and the guy did his research as he captures the street language and style of speech of cops. Director Russ Tutterow has the cops using the pure accent--“dez” and “doz” of Southside Chicago blue collar folks. Many cops do talk that way and use the cop-talk that flows expertly in Huff’s dialogue
The story involves these two uniform officers as they encounter a routine domestic disturbance call that sends them on a harrowing journey that challenges their friendship, their careers and their families. They will never be the same after these strange events spiral toward a death of a boy. When the horrific truth is revealed, one of the two cops must take the blame for the fatal mistake.
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What makes this drama so powerful are the performances of Peter DeFaria and Randy Steinmeyer—both look, sound and feel like flawed humans, not stereotypical TV cops. Huff’s story works because Joey and Denny are empathetic, likable yet repulsive humans with conflicting and contradictory wants and needs. Joey want to do the ‘right thing’ while Denny needs to be in control of the street and his family in a mean and cruel world. Denny rationalizes his actions to quell his inter conflicts. Joey tries to steer Denny away from his cruel street tactics but Denny’s wound-up nature often overcomes his judgment.
When Denny’s family is threatened, he becomes a raging tyrant focused on defending his world. The partner’s irrational actions test their friendship as both men must deal with issues of honor and loyalty in the face of adversity. One’s family values can lead to extreme irrational responses to situations.
Both actors reach amazing depths of emotions as they get us to feel their pain and torment. The play features mostly first person narrative wherein each tells their version of events. Theses guys leave it all out on the stage as we learn why Denny did brutal things to criminals as his personalities dictate. Huff never alibis but we understand why Denny did such things in the name of law and order. Huff ffers a glimpse of all the gray areas, contradictions, and complications that alter a street cop’s view of society. We realize that a cop’s thankless job is indeed influenced by many conflicting motivations. Family, loyalty and a sense of justice and internal personal conflict influence the irrational acts done under stressful situations.
This play is raw, stunning and often poetic as it presents the overwhelming world of the cop on patrol. DeFaria and Steinmeyer are superb. Huff’s script is brilliant. I stated that every police officer and their families should see this show and playwright Keith Huff told me that many retired and present cops have enjoyed this play. One Chicago Police commander has strongly recommended that all the officers in his command see this show. A Steady Rain is back and is as powerful and riveting as ever. DeFaria and Steinmeyer have found new depths of emotion and nuances that flush out the true nature of these flawed humans. You’ll not see a fines acted show anywhere. This show demonstrates the intensity of live theatre.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007
Re-reviewed on March 4, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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