Fooling Buddha
Thoroughly entertaining!
From the glorious tick-rock cacophony of Pink Floyd's "Time" that opens , David Kovachas the audience in the proverbial palm of his hand. Watch those hands as closely as you can - you still won't be able to figure out how the master magician/comedian/raconteur makes the impossible seem possible. Part autobiographical storytelling, part mind-boggling illusion and part philosophical musing, Fooling Buddha is a thoroughly entertaining world premiere.
Fooling Buddha is a deft balance of comic prowess and sleight-of-hand. Although, as Kovac notes in the show, "There is no such thing as balance in life. There is only constant adjustment." Such Ben Franklin-worthy witticisms fly fast and furious throughout. Bring a pencil. Seriously. Bring a pencil. You will want to take notes.
Fooling Buddha follows Kovac's elementary school years, where he honed his showmanship by performing for the Buddhists who gathered in his home for chant sessions hosted by his parents. Kovac plays his parents among other characters as the tale unfolds. All of them are vivid and memorable.
We meet Eddie Dunne, a no-neck monster of a child who seems genuinely baffled by the Kovac's religion, but confidently reduces it nonetheless to one oft-repeated taunt: "You're going to hell!" When young David brings this up at family dinner, his parents are less than enlightening: "Who is this Eddie Dunne, and how does he know your plans?"
New's script captures the absurdities invariably faced by any child trying to make sense of the adults running their lives. When his father gravely intones Confucius' maxim that "Those who say, do not know. Those who know, do not say," little Eddie takes a beat and then points out in exasperation, "Which he just said."
We also meet the owner of Milwaukee's House of Illusion, a fast-talking gent equally deft at mentoring, salesmanship, and magic. When Eddie's debut at a grade school assembly tanks, the House of Illusion becomes a refuge, as well as a place to practice misdirection, juggling and comedy ("There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who can count. And those who can't."). As he moves from his parents' kitchen to school to the House of Illusion, Angela Weber Miller's set design reveals marvels of its own.
Kovac morphs effortlessly through the characters who defined his youth, weaving impressive feats of magic through the show. Thanks to New's agile script, the illusions deepen the characters and further the plot. They aren't distractions from the story, they are integral parts of it.
It's important to note that for all its comedy ("I believe in reincarnation. That's why I'm leaving everything to myself." Badum bum.), Fooling Buddha " doesn't mock Buddhism. Far from it. It uses irreverence to illuminate with reverence the wonders of the ancient Eastern religion.
Beyond its philosophical depths, "Fooling Buddha" shows that Kovac is an utterly charming fellow to spend an evening with. He's primarily based in Los Angeles these days, performing regularly there at the famed Magic Castle. The chance to see him without having to fly half way across the county shouldn't be missed.
Fooling Buddha continues through April 24th at First Folio Theatre, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st, Oak Brook (map), with performances Wednesdays at 8pm, Thursdays 3pm, Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $25-$49, and are available by phone (630-986-8067) or online through their website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at FirstFolio.org. (Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission)
behind the scenes
Patrick New (playwright, director), Angela Weber Miller (set design), Connor Wang (sound design), Greg Freeman (lighting design), Sarah Jo White (costume design), Deya Friedman (stage manager), (executive director)
Tags: 16-0354, Angela Weber Miller, Catey Sullivan, Chicago Theater, Connor Wang, David Kovac, David Rice, Deya Friedman, First Folio Theatre, Greg Freeman, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Patrick New, post, Sarah Jo White
Category: 2016 Reviews, Catey Sullivan, First Folio, Mayslake Peabody Estate, New Work, One-Man Show, World Premier
