Dan Ruth (Photo by Tolga Reis)
Reviewed by Asa Fris
Whitefire Theater
Through November 13th
RECOMMENDED
A Life Behind Bars is a one-man show written and performed by Dan Ruth. Ruth, with the aid of director Tanya Moberly, delivers a humorous and powerful performance that makes great use of the theatrics available to a solo show — one he’s been performing for almost a decade now.
Ruth conveys his experience of living in New York City through a series of scenes where he plays himself, past and present, as well as characters he’s encountered. He executes each portrayal and the transitions between them with precision, complexity, and ease, and his mastery of the material is evident. Though it took a few scenes for him to settle into the groove, once he hits it, the show takes flight.
Ruth’s writing and performance are sharp. Many scenes either present him speaking as one character to invisible/silent scene partners, or, alternatively, speaking to himself while playing the other characters. When he speaks to the unseen characters it’s very entertaining to watch his “reactions” to his scene partners. And when he’s switching between the characters, it’s thrilling to experience the speed with which he switches.
Moberly’s vision and staging are simple but effective. The set, consisting of a stool, the end corner of a bar, and some bottles that line the front of the stage, are all that’s needed. Sound and lighting are used judiciously throughout the show, providing welcome energy and emotional underscoring. While there are two instances where songs overpower Ruth’s voice a bit, those moments are inconsequential. As to costuming, Ruth wears an all-black outfit, fit for a New York bartender, and uses minimal prop/costume pieces throughout to distinguish one character from the next.
All told, the personal nature of Ruth’s story, his layered performance, and the straightforward and effective vision of the piece as a whole renders this show a touching and entertaining experience. It should be noted that the dialogue dips into fairly serious topics surrounding mental health, but Ruth and Moberly handle these topics with honesty, empathy, and humor. Of particular note are the emotional depths he reaches in his scenes as a woman he serves named Sarah, and the climax of his journey, where it is almost painful to witness Ruth play himself and a pair of paramedics who save his life.
The Whitefire Theater, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. See website for schedule; thru Nov. 13. Running time: 85 minutes without intermission. https://whitefire.stagey.net/projects/11435?tab=tickets
