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Trust
By Steven Dietz
Directed by Chris Maher
Produced by Open Eye productions
At Raven Theatre
6157 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-8970, www.openeyeproductions.org
Tickets $20, students/seniors 20% discount
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:30 pm
Sundays at 3:30 pm
Running time 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through September 14, 2008
“Every kiss is a betrayal.”—Steven Dietz from “Trust”
Quirky look at relationships dominates Dietz’s “Trust”
Open Eye Productions, a reliable non-Equity theatre troupe, has mounted Steven Dietz’s “Trust”—a series of quirky vignettes about a world ruled by love, lust, and lying set against the backdrop of the pop rock scene. Utilizing long monologues and speeches, this very loosely structured drama is series of short scenes that never lets the characters become fully developed. A more unified through line would help this work. Patience is needed until the vignettes start to come together into a story.
Cody (Clayton Faits) is the sexy young rock star; Becca (Kate Cares) is his ‘plain-Jane’ fiancée and Gretchen (Brigitte Ditmars) is the dressmaker in love with Becca. Leah (Anne Sheridan-Smith) is the aging and fading rock star looking to rekindle her career. Can Cody help? Roy (Dan Granada), a public radio announcer/interviewer is captivated by these women. Holly (Jill Schmits), a young bohemian groupie completes the characters all struggling to understand and define the expansive word ‘trust.’
There are relationship rituals such as first meetings, dinner dates, and group meetings long on conversations propels the show’s action. The play’s structure moves like a made for TV sitcom. The numerous black outs and short scenes became tedious. No new ground is covered here but some laughs are present mostly due to the fine work of the cast. Clayton Faits has the looks and charisma to be a rock star. Brigitte Ditmars, Kate Cares and Anne Sheridan-Smith each had fine moments. “Trust” could appeal to a 20-30something audience much more that to an older audience (like me). “Trust” is fine date night fare.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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