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How I Spent My Last Night on Earth
Based on a novel by Todd Strasser
Adapted by William Massolia
Produced by Griffin Theatre Company in association w/ Chicago DCA Theater
At Gallery 37
66 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 312-742-8497 or www.dcatherater.org, $22 (student/senior discounts)
Fri. & Sat. at 7:30, Sat. matinee at 4:00, Sun. at 3:00
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Through February 17th
What Would You Do if You Knew the World Might End Tomorrow?
This well worn question gets a slightly different twist in Griffin Theatre’s How I
Spent My Last Night on Earth as a group of high school students learn via the Internet that a planet crushing mega asteroid has a 46% probability of hitting earth tomorrow morning. Splat! The show is filled with clichés about tyrannical school administrators, nerdy teachers, and clueless parents, but thanks to rather credible performances by a talented young cast, the group of high school friends come to equally stereotypical life and the premise more or less hangs together. Beach blanket cute at times, the one-night-to-live theme forces the youngsters to examine the meaning of life. In the unlikely event you haven’t already guessed, it’s about love.
Cyd Blackwell, who says she is perplexed that the Griffin Theatre folks think she looks 18, delivers a consistent performance throughout as Alegra a.k.a. “Legs,” the genuinely decent heroine of the show whose search for values anchors the production. I found it refreshing to see a female character at the center of the search for meaning and Blackwell is engaging. Edward Paul is Andros, the quirky surfer cum accidental boyfriend who illuminates the role of love in Legs’ universe. Brian Deneen, Sarah Pitard, Douglas Thornton, Kyle Cobb and Lynette Morris round out the cast of predictable, but likeable pals.
How I Spent My Last Night on Earth is in keeping with Griffin Theatre’s tradition of creating shows that bridge the generation gap, though it isn’t clear to me exactly who the audience for this show is. It’s a bit corny for adolescents and I am not sure that the last night on the beach with a bottle of Bud is exactly the right note for younger audiences. Perhaps the college set, with its fresh memories of high school torture, will enjoy the humor most. All in all, How I Spent My Last Night on Earth is a cute show that should appeal at some level to wide range of ages, so my advice, if you go, is to take the whole family. The pace is a bit slow in spots, but nothing the kids can’t get around and there is potential for an enjoyable evening together.
SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date reviewed: February 1, 2008
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