Brandon Bales, Roni Paige, Bradley Bazile and Rebecca Larsen (Photo by Eric Keitel)
Reviewed by Deborah Klugman
Moving Arts Theatre
Through December 14
RECOMMENDED
In these dark times, when it’s tough to distinguish reality from satire, a play that provokes a hearty laugh comes as a welcome distraction.
A case in point: Hello, My Name Is…, Amy Dellagiarino’s new character-driven comedy premiering at Moving Arts Theatre (where it was developed in MADLab, the company’s new play development program).
Skillfully directed by Darin Anthony, the play is set at a retreat, where members of a cult are awaiting “The Great Metamorphosis” with an anticipation and wonder similar to that of devout fundamentalist Christians who believe the final Day of Judgment is nigh. For adherents of The Order of the Twelfth and Final Sun, such an event may finally be upon them, as foretold by J (Juan Monsalvez) their beloved teacher and guru. On this particular morning, the disciples have been instructed to rise early, skip breakfast (all food in the communal kitchen had been discarded the evening before) and meditate until they hear the sound of chimes, signaling the beginning of the great change.
Most of the devotees are unquestioning believers, as personified by Reagan (Rebecca Larsen), a self-possessed woman who radiates a clear-minded certainty, and whose poise and air of confidence attracts those who may lack either or both. That is the case with Kiki (Roni Paige), Reagan’s roommate and her mentee. When we meet these women, they are seated on the floor in their spartan room, engaged in their prescribed meditation. But whereas Reagan is undertaking it with a calm focus, Kiki is clearly bored and restless.
Reagan’s admonishments to Kiki are interrupted by the unwelcome entrance of a fellow disciple from an adjoining room. This is Micah (Brandon Bales), a bumbling angst-ridden sort of fellow who is always seeking reassurance. Today he’s upset because he messed up by dropping down the toilet the “focus” supplement they were all supposed to take. Micah is looking to hang out with Reagan and Kiki because his own roommate and mentor, Chase (Bradley Bazile) is furious with him and won’t respond to any of his pleas or questions. The women don’t want him around either, and they are further frustrated when Chase joins them to air his own set of doubts and recriminations.
This is the setup, from which further events (which I won’t reveal here) spiral out of control. Things heat up even more after the manipulative J makes an appearance and starts plucking at people’s strings.
It’s an arena ripe for satire, which works so effectively due to the timing, pace (kudos to Anthony’s direction), funny business and, most of all, the personal investment that several of these actors here bring to their roles. (It’s that sliver of truth beneath a mountain of absurdity that makes it all click.) A lot of the comic agitation springs from Kiki’s incessant questioning and her blunt, stubborn mien that Paige captures so well. As her nemesis (until he isn’t), Bazile is alternately loud and pushy and dismissive on the one hand, and a cowed, supplicating adherent on the other. And Larsen is precisely on point as J’s veteran disciple who’s invested more years than anyone else in the Order, and whose realizations as events progress reflect the arc of the story so well. As Micah, Bales showcases considerable comic chops, but leans somewhat into sitcom. Monsalvez’s J is a bit of a trope that could stand more depth and detail.
Scenic and lighting designer Justin Huen’s set is a simple, straightforward interior that serves the story well. Sound designer Warren Davis delivers the necessary highlights for the crises that the characters undergo. Keelyn McDermott’s costumes — red jumpsuits resembling an inmate’s uniform — are apropos for a tale about a group of people in a prison of their own making.
Moving Arts Theatre, 3191 Casitas Ave., Atwater. Fri.-Sat. and Mon., 8 pm, Sun., 4 pm; thru Dec. 14. info@movingarts.org Running time: approximately 85 minutes with no intermission.
