Incendiary
Written by Adam Szymkowicz
Directed by Katie Jones
at Second Stage, 3408 N. Sheffield (map)
thru June 3 | tickets: $10-$15 | more info
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Style over substance
Wishbone Theatre Collective presents
Incendiary
Review by Lawrence Bommer
Adam Szymkowicz (that’s the last time I’ll mention him by name) has written a slavishly stylized film-noir homage that manages in only 90 minutes the unlucky feat of being almost all style and no content.
Film noir, of course, relies on breathless Method acting, rushed and soaring declamation, hushed intensity, and very high-falutin’, vaporous acting that’s over the top and in your face. But this is only empty technique without a motivation—as in a plot that fuels the histrionics. It must earn its post-war cynicism and its flamboyant, pseudo-romantic excess. All this emoting comes from a cause–or it just chases its tail.
In Incendiary, the author provides a paper-thin story of Elise (Laurie Jones), a pyromaniac who not so ironically doubles as the town’s youngest fire chief. She confides her delight in the colors and smells of the conflagrations she ignites to her hapless therapist Carrie (Sara Kaplan). But the ineffectual shrink can’t bring herself to have Elise arrested.
Meanwhile, smoke-savvy detective Jake (Paul Vonasek), pursuing a case of “female arson,” unwittingly falls in love with the firebug he’s seeking. Both clash with Carrie’s doofus husband Gary (Brandon Little), a corporate spy in cahoots with Liz (Erin Lovelace): They’re trying to find the culprit who burned down the evidence of their industrial espionage.
All plans come a cropper as the silly plot sputters and chokes on improbabilities. In any case, it only exists to allow Jones and Vonasek to indulge in full-throated, hard-boiled, film-noir love dialogue, gushing and overwrought, pouncing on lines and suddenly screaming. It may seem incendiary, but the plot is pure asbestos: Nothing here catches fire (except, unbelievably, the boat on which Elise seeks an escape!).
Plus there’s way too much sudden screaming—very irritating when it’s so unearned.
No question, as an actor’s exercise, this is impressive stuff and some of the playwright’s dialog is hilariously ornate in the best world-weary, film-noir fashion. Jones’ ten-member ensemble are on top of their little game. But, for all the external show here, these characters, especially enigmatic Elise, need an inner life. Her love of combustion is a given when it should be grounds for exploration. Worse, the consequences of her crime, torching (and injuring) innocent buildings and people, are amorally ignored.
Rating: ★★
Incendiary continues through June 3rd at Second Stage, 3408 N. Sheffield (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays 5pm. Tickets are $10-$15, and are available at the door or online at BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at WishboneTheatre.org. (Running time: 90 minutes without intermission)
