Counterfeiters
Written by Aaron Weissman
Directed by Krissy Vanderwarker & Jenn BeVard
Collaboraction Studio, 1579 N. Milwaukee (map)
thru March 16 | tickets: $25 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Where faking it is genuine fun
Dog & Pony Theatre Chicago presents
Counterfeiters
Review by Joy Campbell
The them of counterfeiting – creating fake money, fake opportunity, fake deals – is the theme of Dog & Pony Theatre’s latest world-premiere offering, served up in raucous, high-energy vaudeville style. Taking a cynical look at the American Dream, the show opens with David (Aaron Rustebakke), a smooth-talking toothy-smiled Wall Street type who made a killing by combining mortgages. Quoting George Carlin, he grins, “It’s called ‘The American Dream’ because you have to be asleep to believe it.” The emcee of the audience lottery, he engages the audience with an oily charisma and confidence like a snake mesmerizing its prey.
The hands-down stars of the show are ‘C’ and ‘G’ (Caroline Kingsley and Kieran Kredell), two “male” cross-dressers who are introduced to us as artists whose angle is to go to fancy restaurants and draw detailed pictures of currency, offering them as works of art in lieu of real cash payment. Their reappearance throughout the show as various other characters is hilarious, especially a scene where Maid Marian’s break up with Robin Hood is couched in investment language. Kingsley’s and Kridell’s characterizations, timing, physicality and chemistry are relentlessly funny.
The only number that falls rather flat is one in which the Great Depression of ’29 was compared to the recent financial market collapse. In showman’s garb, Rustebakke suggests that instead of blaming banks, maybe we should blame ourselves. It’s hard to determine whether this is a sarcastic assertion. If it is, it doesn’t read. If it isn’t, then it shows an ignorance of the circumstances surrounding the recent economic collapse, disappointing from a company purporting to promote social relevance. I would have loved, however, to see this talented group explore the themes of over-consumerism more.
In addition to the main stage, with its period curtain and clamshell floor lights, the action takes place in and around the audience, which sits cabaret-style, Collaboraction’s intimate space adding to the speakeasy feel. The entire cast is a delight, and clearly is having as much fun as we are. I won’t spoil how the night ends, but it certainly brings the action close to home. Counterfeiters is less provocative social commentary than plain good fun, but who doesn’t need more fun?
Rating: ★★★
Counterfeiters continues through March 16th at Flat Iron Arts Building’s Collaboraction Studio, 1579 N. Milwaukee (map), with performances Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $25 (use code collabcrime to get $5 off up to 5 tickets), and are available by phone (773-360-7933) or online through BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at DogAndPonyChicago.org. (Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission)
 
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Photos by Timmy Samuel
artists
cast
Aaron Rustebakke (David), Alex E. Hardaway (Sam), Annie Prichard (Maude), Caroline Kingsley (“C”), Kieran Kridell (“G”) Scott Ray Merchant (Ben), Kristen Magee, Kyle Geissler (understudies)
behind the scenes
Krissy Vanderwarker and Jenn BeVard (directors); John Blick (producer); Claire Redfield (audience services); Caitlin O’Rourke (stage manager); Stephen Ptacek (sound designer, production manager); Brittany Squier (dramaturg); Elyse Cowles (process dramaturg); Cathy Tantillo (costumes); Grant Sabin (set); Jeff Glass (lighting); Ellen Kirk (puppets); Angela Campos (props); John Holt (tech director); Devon de Mayo (tap choreography); Timmy Samuel (photos)
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