Grade: A
Should you find yourself off of the theater equivalent of the beaten track, it's a good bet that you have entered the world of “Bug.”
The decidedly different drama by Tracy Letts features full frontal nudity, graphic violence, casual drug use and a complex and convoluted plot that leaves as many questions to be asked as it eventually answers. The decision by Syracuse Stage to mount a production of this play was both a brave one and the right one.
The plot revolves around Agnes and Peter. She's a waitress living in an Oklahoma City motel with an ex-husband fresh from prison trying to track her down. He's a Gulf War veteran with decidedly odd (or are they) conspiracy theories. Once they meet, the bugs begin showing up (or do they?).
Letts has thrust very real characters together into a bizarre situation. There is barely time to absorb what is going on in a scene when, bang, it's over. Next scene, next psychotic episode. It is a smart, often funny, script. Letts has Albee's ability to make absurdity intelligent. This is a very well written and well constructed play.
Deborah Hazlett and Christian Conn are Agnes and Peter and both give polished, focused and courageous performances. Conn has great charm and creates a likeable loser sort who eventually comes to dominate the relationship. Hazlett is perfect as a woman whose loneliness leads her to accept the increasingly paranoid delusions that control her new love.
Stephanie Berry and Christian Kohn are very good as Agnes' friend and the ex-husband. Kohn, in particular, infuses the character with a menacing presence that is very effective. Curzon Dobell is also very good as a doctor who muddies the waters just enough to make us wonder if Peter really is crazy.
The violence, drug use and profanity are nothing that audiences haven't seen before. But there is the 15 or so minutes of nudity. Suffice it to say that between the lighting, the set, the action and the dialogue, after about 20 seconds it is no longer a distraction. Director Melissa Kievman has handled the scene so well, as she has the rest of this production, that she eliminates any prurient interest in short order and has the audience focus right where it needs to be. While the nudity is absolutely essential, they might as well be in parkas. A neat trick and brilliantly executed.
David Korins has designed a terrific set for this production. The addition of a full ceiling for the room adds a claustrophobic effect. Mark Barton is to be commended for lighting so difficult a setting.
This is not a show for children.
If you go
What: “Bug”
When: 7:30 tonight, 8 p.m. Friday,
3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; continues through Nov. 13
Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E.
Genesee St., Syracuse
For tickets: Call 443-3275
The decidedly different drama by Tracy Letts features full frontal nudity, graphic violence, casual drug use and a complex and convoluted plot that leaves as many questions to be asked as it eventually answers. The decision by Syracuse Stage to mount a production of this play was both a brave one and the right one.
The plot revolves around Agnes and Peter. She's a waitress living in an Oklahoma City motel with an ex-husband fresh from prison trying to track her down. He's a Gulf War veteran with decidedly odd (or are they) conspiracy theories. Once they meet, the bugs begin showing up (or do they?).
Letts has thrust very real characters together into a bizarre situation. There is barely time to absorb what is going on in a scene when, bang, it's over. Next scene, next psychotic episode. It is a smart, often funny, script. Letts has Albee's ability to make absurdity intelligent. This is a very well written and well constructed play.
Deborah Hazlett and Christian Conn are Agnes and Peter and both give polished, focused and courageous performances. Conn has great charm and creates a likeable loser sort who eventually comes to dominate the relationship. Hazlett is perfect as a woman whose loneliness leads her to accept the increasingly paranoid delusions that control her new love.
Stephanie Berry and Christian Kohn are very good as Agnes' friend and the ex-husband. Kohn, in particular, infuses the character with a menacing presence that is very effective. Curzon Dobell is also very good as a doctor who muddies the waters just enough to make us wonder if Peter really is crazy.
The violence, drug use and profanity are nothing that audiences haven't seen before. But there is the 15 or so minutes of nudity. Suffice it to say that between the lighting, the set, the action and the dialogue, after about 20 seconds it is no longer a distraction. Director Melissa Kievman has handled the scene so well, as she has the rest of this production, that she eliminates any prurient interest in short order and has the audience focus right where it needs to be. While the nudity is absolutely essential, they might as well be in parkas. A neat trick and brilliantly executed.
David Korins has designed a terrific set for this production. The addition of a full ceiling for the room adds a claustrophobic effect. Mark Barton is to be commended for lighting so difficult a setting.
This is not a show for children.
If you go
What: “Bug”
When: 7:30 tonight, 8 p.m. Friday,
3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; continues through Nov. 13
Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E.
Genesee St., Syracuse
For tickets: Call 443-3275
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