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Match
By Stephen Belber
Directed by Steve Scott, SSDC
Produced by Apple Tree Theatre
1850 Green Bay
Highland Park, IL
Call 847-432-4335, tickets $38 - $48
Wednesday, March 19 at 7:30pm
Friday, March 21 at 8pm
Saturday, March 22 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, March 23 at 2 & 6 pm
Wednesday, March 26 at 7;30 pm
Friday, March 28 at 8 pm
Saturday, March 29 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, March 30 at 2 & 6 pm
Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 pm
Friday, April 4 at 8 pm
Saturday, April 5 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, April 6 at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through April 6, 2008
Smart writing and excellent performances meet their Match
Apple Tree Theatre, under the tight direction by Steve Scott has mounted a most compelling production of Stephen Belber’s 2004 hit Broadway play, Match. This is one terrific show! It is a touching, comedic mystery about three people searching to make a real connection in their lives.
With a realistic, detailed set depicting a small Manhattan walkup (set design by J Branson); Match is the home to a flamboyant, flaming ballet dance instructor, Tobi Powell, played in a terrific performance by Mark Douglas-Jones. The 62 year old is anxiously awaiting the visit by a couple working on a PhD dissertation about classical dance. Douglas-Jones propels biting humor and empathy from his cute preparation for the visit as he frets over every detail.
His verbal banter delights the Davis’ as Lisa (Michelle Courvais) and her uptight husband Mike (Raymond L. Chapman) record his life story from his 1959 dance debut in NYC through his illustrious dance and dance instructor European career. Douglas-Jones delights us with his charming, blunt and sensual story about the sexual antics of the ballet world where men and women all have sex with each other freely. Strangely, nasty Mike kept pressing Tobi for more details of his earlier sexual adventures. Tobi begins to question where this is going. The mystery begins. Why all the interest in his sexual activity. Is her gay or bisexual? And did he have sex with a particular woman in November of 1959?
As the alcohol and hash are consumed, the plot thickens. The hidden agenda explodes as the laugh-out loud comedy turns into a mystery as well as a character sketch. Why is Mike so mean and explosive and why is Lisa so guarded?
Tobi appears to be a flippant sarcastic old queen but he is also a lonely, frustrated soul desperate to connect with people. The clever and surprise script has twists and revelations that are moving. Tobi is one of those memorable characters that Mark Douglas-Jones deftly lands as he demonstrates Tobi’s comic, witty side as well as his vulnerable, human weakness. How he quietly commands the stage is wonderful to witness. Douglas-Jones deftly gave one of the strongest performances of the year.
Raymond l. Chapman suppresses Mike’s angst and his psychopathic tendencies in a smoothly paced performance. Michelle Courvais has her moments in scenes with Tobi in act two.
Without giving away the plot, let me say that Match has stinging humor and it unfolds as a nicely paced mystery with terrific character sketches that amount to a terrific play. As they mystery reveals itself, we see how everyone involved has their lives changed forever. The ending is clever and satisfying.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2008
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