The Rorsky Plays
Written by Rory Jobst
Directed by Stephen F. Murray
and Joshua Ellison
at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway (map)
thru July 1 | tickets: FREE | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Incoherent and interminable
Oracle b*sides presents
The Rorsky Plays
Review by Lauren Whalen
When it comes to mission statements, Oracle Theatre has one of the best around. Three simple words – “public access theatre” – encompass community outreach, resources for up-and-coming playwrights, and best of all, shows presented free of charge. The Rorsky Plays served as my introduction to the company, and I only wish it had been a stronger one, or at least more lucid. Access for writers and audiences is certainly admirable, but only if writers are reined in and audiences entertained. In the case of The Rorsky Plays, neither occurs.
At least, I think that’s what happens. Both plays were mostly devoid of timing, articulation or any real point. I couldn’t understand what I was supposed to get out of either. Yes, Daniel Day-Lewis is widely known to follow the Method, which is unusual in modern Hollywood though not completely uncommon. Yes, I’m sure Samuel Beckett and Andre the Giant would have interesting conversations (who knows, maybe they’re happening in the great beyond). However, all I heard was a lot of screaming and annoying laughter, particularly from Hurst and Greenfield, who seemed unaware that in a small studio space, projecting too much can puncture audience eardrums. All I saw were at least four audience members leaving during the ten-minute intermission.
In Jobst’s defense, writing real-life people as characters is extremely difficult. It’s not an impossible feat: Avenue Q successfully portrayed former child star Gary Coleman as a jovial slumlord – played by a woman. But why attempt it at all? Though Hurst’s utter devotion to Day-Lewis’ increasingly bizarre roles is comic, and Helman has some nice moments of comic exasperation as Beckett, both plays read as a writing exercise that shouldn’t have progressed beyond a workshop setting, or the back pages of a spiral notebook.
A play can’t just have oddity for oddity’s sake: there needs to be some kind of thesis, lesson or touchstone that justifies the audience’s presence. Instead, The Rorsky Plays featured an actress with a nasal voice and high-pitched giggle whining away and looking very pleased with herself as she blogged out loud and later pranced about in a black cape. Also, Andre the Giant donned short pants and shouted about farts before quoting his famous line from The Princess Bride. Though Helman and Marcum do their best to create a sweet, empathetic relationship between the two unlikeliest of individuals, it doesn’t go too far with a script so puzzling, I gave up trying to figure it out and wrote out my grocery list instead.
Oracle Theatre has a generous spirit and a clearly passionate staff, who encourage patrons to give generously to keep the dream alive. No doubt their other fare is more palatable than The Rorsky Plays – starting with a clear, well-written script. Providing access to art for all is a wonderful idea: but the art itself must be worth the investment.
Rating: ★
The Rorsky Plays continues through July 1st at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway (map), with performances Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30pm. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated. More information, including how to reserve tickets, can be found at OracleTheatre.org. (Running time: 90 minutes, includes intermission)
Photos by Ben Fuchsen
artists
cast
For “Daniel Day-Lewis and the Big Potatas”
