Review: The Good Person of Szechwan (Cor Theatre)

Brecht classic parable receives bold, vivacious adaptation

Review by Mark Davidson

A prelude begins The Good Person of Szechwan , featuring characters interacting in their city, even mingling with audience members. The hip-hop music creates a certain ambience. Then, Wang the Waterseller (Dawn Bless) welcomes the three gods (Ben Chang, Jos N. Banks, Aida Delaz). The gods are searching for any good people on Earth. The Waterseller is unable to find a place for the three gods to stay for the night

and flees in shame. It is Shen Te (Will Von Vogt), the proverbial prostitute with a heart of gold, who gives the gods shelter for the night. When the gods leave the next morning, they reward her with an American Express card. The gods are pleased they have found at least one good person, and Shen Te is overjoyed. Three days later, Shen Te sets up a tobacco shop. She is then besieged by her "friends" who beg for money. Shen Te is now at risk of losing everything...until her cousin Shui Ta arrives. A hard man who means business, Shui Ta wheels and deals until he has established a tobacco factory, with the beggars now working for their keep.

Meanwhile, Shen Te encounters a suicidal pilot named Sun (Chris Brickhouse). Shen Te convinces Sun to live and they become lovers. But when later meeting Shui Ta, Sun inadvertently reveals that he's not what he seems. Eventually, we're led to a climactic trial (officiated by the three gods) where Shen Te reveals a startling secret.

This production, a Tony Kushner translation of the 1943 play by Bertolt Brecht, is bold and vivacious. The casting is non-traditional, color and gender-blind. Van Vogt is moving in the lead role of Shen Te. Brickhouse provides a strong presence as Sun. The rest of the cast display versatility and energy, most of them playing two or three roles each. Director Ernie Nolan stages the action well, keeping a steady pace throughout. The musical numbers interspersed throughout the play are well-choreographed by Tosha Fowler.

The resonant production shows us the difficulty of being good in a world filled with people who care only for their own survival, with the final moments presenting a situation easily applicable in our real world. Some of the lines inevitably sound a bit awkward given the modern setting and design of this play, but the modern setting, hip-hop songs and dances, and the talented ensemble end up making The Good Person of Szechwan a memorable viewing experience.

The Good Person of Szechwan continues through September 11th at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $25 (students/industry: $10), and are available by phone (866-811-4111) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More info at CorTheatre.org. (Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes, includes an intermission)

NOTE: For adult audiences only. Contains sexual content and partial nudity.

Will Von Vogt (Shen Te, Shui Ta), Chris Brickhouse (Sun, Husband), (Wang the Waterseller), Nik Kourtis (Shu Fu, Wife), Jeri Marshall (Mrs. Shin), Lea Pascal (Mrs. Mi Tsu), Narciso Lobo (Policeman, Mrs. Yang, Unemployed), (God 3, Grandfather, Old Prostitute), (God 2, Sister in Law, Guard), (God 1, Carpenter, Guest), Michael Buono (Nephew, Male Vocal), Isabella Karina Coelho (Niece), Ginger Leopoldo, Bernell Lassai (understudies)

behind the scenes

Ernie Nolan (director), Tony Kushner (adaptator), Meredith Morris (production stage manager), Nick Nyquist (assistant stage manager), Stefan Steberl (scenic & property designer), Alarie Hammock (costume design), Claire Chrzan (lighting design), Matt Reich (sound design), Adam Gutkin (technical director), Tony Buzutto (violence director), Tosha Fowler (production manager, movement), Erin Collins (assistant production manager), Danielle Szabo (assistant director), Elyse Cowles (associate producer, marketing), Claire Meyers (house manager), Maddie Delk, Jacob Broschart (box office), Matthew Gregory Hollis (photos)

Tags: 16-0817, A Red Orchid Theatre, Adam Gutkin, Aida Delaz, Alarie Hammock, Ben Chang, Bernell Lassai, Bertolt Brecht, Chicago Theater, Chris Brickhouse, Claire Chrzan, Claire Meyers, Cor Theatre, Danielle Szabo, Dawn Bless, Elyse Cowles, Erin Collins, Ernie Nolan, Ginger Leopoldo, Isabella Karina Coelho, Jacob Broschart, Jeri Marshall, Jos N. Banks, Lea Pascal, Maddie Delk, Mark Davidson, Matt Reich, Matthew Gregory Hollis, Meredith Morris, Michael Buono, Narciso Lobo, Nick Nyquist, Nik Kourtis, post, Stefan Steberl, Tony Buzutto, Tony Kushner, Tosha Fowler, Will Von Vogt