[ssba]
63 Trillion
Reviewed by Terry Morgan
The Odyssey Theatre
Through June 7
RECOMMENDED:
John Bunzel’s new play is reminiscent of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, but more comedic in intent. The story takes place in the milieu of “wealth management” during a fictional financial catastrophe as the various characters attempt to screw each other over or profit from the chaos. The world premiere by The New American Theatre (a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre) is sharp and funny, brought to life by a crackerjack cast who tear into their juicy dialogue like lions into fresh meat.
On the day that the market crashes massively due to a Chinese default, new guy in the wealth management team Jonah (Noah James) tries to warn everybody, but only cautious Tom (Ken Lerner) listens. Frank (Robert Cicchini) is more interested in landing a billionaire “whale” as his client, while Kenny (Jack Stehlin) is trying to get a more modest millionaire to sign over his funds. Eccentric Dick (Jeffrey Jones) is playing his own game and staying out of the fray, which looks wise the moment Nancy (Megan Gallagher), from the legal department, steps in to tell some of them that their abuses have been captured on tape and the party’s about to end.
Cicchini is excellent as financial shark Frank, whose only weak spot is for his biting dog, and Lerner does superb, deadpan work as the long-suffering Tom. Stehlin is very funny as the frantically scheming Kenny, switching tactics from moment to moment as things change, with the bottom line always that of “The big dog’s gotta eat!” Jones is a low-key delight as the unworried Dick, gleefully growling out lines such as “Do I seem trustworthy to you?” James is good but his role is somewhat underwritten as of yet, as is Gallagher’s, whose sudden character shifts seem under-motivated. Jordan Lund brings great energy and menace to his role as a potential client, to the extent that one wishes his character was in the play more.
Director Steve Zuckerman keeps the pacing brisk and the energy high, helped hugely by Jeffrey R. McLaughlin’s handsome office set — one of the best seen recently at this theater.
Bunzel’s enjoyable play comes amply laced with wit: “I’m not interested in helping others – I’m a financial advisor.” That being said, it seems like it could benefit from integrating a few of the characters more firmly into the main plot and possibly doing something about the abruptness of the ending. That said, 63 Trillion is a treasure trove of mean-spirited fun, and The New American Theatre production is top-notch.
The New American Theatre at The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., WLA; Fri.- Sat. 8 p.m. (Sun. 2 p.m. on June 7 only); through June 7. https://NewAmericanTheatre.com/tickets.html
