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On An Average Day
By John Kolvenbach
Directed by Ron Klier
Produced by Route 66 Theatre Company & Vs. Theatre Co.
At Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-871-3000, tickets $25
Thursdays & Fridays are 7:30 pm
Saturdays at 5:30 & 8:30 pm
Sundays at 2:30 pm
Running time 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through September 6, 2008
Intense drama contains a wild physical fight scene.
The new Equity Route 66 Theatre Company brings their hit Los Angles production of John Kolvenbach’s “On an Average Day” to Chicago’s Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater until September 6, 2008. This intense psychological drama builds the tension tightly until in literally explodes on stage. This is a provocative piece that unfolds as part mystery, part psychological thriller and part family drama. Playwright John Kolvenbach keeps us engaged by tight writing and strong character development. Director Ron Klier keeps pace swift as the two actors deftly absorbed their characters completely allowing the tension to build into a nerve-racking drama.
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We meet Robert (Johnny Clark)—the near hobo brother who exhibits paranoid tendencies as he continues to rant many nonsensical gibberish speeches. Clark plays the mentally ill younger brother with a pent-up range that nearly erupts every few minutes. His world view is confused and estranged to normal society. Robert lives in the filthy family house filled with beer cans and take-out packages. He is out on bond for an attempt murder. When Robert’s older brother, Jack, unexpectedly arrives at the family house, Robert believes he has come to either harm him or aid him. He is suspicious of everyone.
Robert goes off on several incoherent diatribes that Jack finds perplexing. Slowly we learn that the father left the two boys when Jack was 15 years old and Robert only 7. Jack invented stories about their father as he became the head of the household. Jack also abandoned Robert when Robert turned 15. They have not been together since until Jack suddenly arrives on this day. Why did Jack return now?
Robert has so many fears, phobias and hang-ups that his paranoia makes him over react to most verbal or sensual stimulus. The exchange between Robert and Jack builds into a psychological thriller as we wonder why Jack finally returns to the old house in search of Robert. Jack constantly repeats that he has come neither to help nor hurt Robert. Will Robert hurt Jack? Filled with raw dark comedy and brutal emotional attacks, “On An Average Day” is an actor’s showcase that finds Johnny Clark and Stef Tovar at the top of their craft.
The intensity that erupts is scary. This show contains one of the most realistic physical stage combat scenes I’ve ever witnessed on stage. Tables, chairs, pots, pans, beer cans, a meat clever and a hand gun are used to hit, ram and stuff on each guy as their rage finally explodes. I found the long gibberish speeches from Robert to be tedious but ultimately the play has an exciting payoff that satisfies. The actors leave everything on the stage.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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