Monica Westin

A phenomenal and gut-wrenching performance, with the kind of vision that reminds you why theater matters—Joanie Schultz’s interpretation of Adam Rapp’s grotesque, terrifying play brings to life a Biblical plague/rapture meets sci-fi apocalypse while simultaneously anchoring the fable in a chillingly realistic basement apartment during a hot summer in Joliet. The actors show huge range and depth as disturbed young men let down by the system, with an especially heartbreaking performance by Ryan Heindl, whose Skram switches from repulsive wannabe machismo to pitiful vulnerability. The play isn’t perfect, and Rapp’s ambition sometimes results in excessive thug culture cliché, a few truly trite moments involving a kidnapped little girl, and an awkwardly placed Dr. Seuss-on-acid monologue towards the end, but by then one forgives any minor mistakes in the writing. Tangential examinations of ghetto slang add much-needed comic relief, and a magnificent re-imagining of an orange juice jingle as a hymn to a character’s dream of Florida as heaven will bowl over any audience.

"Faster" runs at The Side Project, 1439 West Jarvis, (773)973-2150, through April 6.

(2008-03-25)

Also by Monica Westin

Playing Around
With “A Steady Rain,” a noir tour de force about two South Side Chicago cops’ harrowing experience on the front lines, Keith Huff may well become a household name.
(2008-03-05)

Tip of the Week
Sublime revelation and captivating entertainment in a visually stunning and thought-provoking work—James Thiérrée and his exceptionally talented cast’s performance blends dance, acrobatics and music, alluding to genres and tropes from silent films to street magicians and improvisational comedy
(2007-11-27)

Tip of the Week
Trap Door Theatre’s interpretation of "Emma," Howard Zinn’s portrayal of a captivating radical, succeeds phenomenally in the company’s mission statement of bringing life to difficult stage text
(2007-10-23)

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