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Trevor
Reviewed by Vanessa Cate
Circle X Theatre Co.
Through April 19
RECOMMENDED:
I am in love with a 200-pound chimpanzee. There, I said it. It was love at first sight as Trevor entered the stage after stealing the keys to his owner’s car and went for a joy-ride to Dunkin Donuts — to try to land a job.
Played with charisma and sincerity by Jimmi Simpson, it’s not abundantly clear at first that Trevor is anything but an endearing, if also strange, young man. Dressed in a checkered shirt and tie with khaki pants and suspenders, Simpson’s superb physicality allows something to dawn on us: Although everyone is speaking English, Trevor is in fact a chimp, and none of the other characters can understand what he says.
Nick Jones’s comedy seems at first to be either simply sitcom-esque, or else an absurdist take on a dysfunctional family dynamic. But don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. What unfolds is a brilliant look at love, communication, identity, and humanity.
Sandra (Laurie Metcalf) loves Trevor more than anything in the world, fawning on him just as a doting mother might. He is, after all, the only one who has never let her down. And Trevor loves her too. Since his “dad” exited the fray, he’s starting to realize that he’s the dominant man of the house.
But Trevor is not without ambition. Based on the real-life simian Travis, Trevor likewise has aspirations toward stardom. He fondly recounts his days on a movie set with Morgan Fairchild (Brenda Strong), and tries to gain advice from mentor-ape Oliver (Bob Clendenin), determined as he is to make it big and gain Morgan Fairchild’s approval once again. (How appropriate to explore showbiz and the surreal nature of acting by means of a character who’s not human at all.)
Not everyone is on Trevor’s side though. Sure, he used to be cute when he was just a little chimp. But now he’s 11 years old, strong, and as far as anyone can tell, erratic. New neighbor Ashley (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) fears for the safety of her newborn baby. She calls upon the help of local law enforcer Jim (Jim Ortlieb). The ultimate climax of danger and miscommunication comes when Animal Control worker Jerry (Malcom Barrett) arrives on the scene. Trevor, however, thinks he’s a TV producer, and tries to impress him through show of prowess.
Jones’s script is as tragic as it is hilarious. It smartly navigates the psyche of man and beast alike. Lighting by Jeremy Pivnick and set by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz add greatly to the feel of the play. And Stella Powell-Jones perfectly directs a powerhouse ensemble of veteran performers, most of whom are recognizable from TV and stage alike. Metcalf’s Sara is utterly devoted and anchors the play in a love that borders on madness. And Simpson’s performance is somehow the most human I’ve seen in a very long time.
Circle X Theatre Co. at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. Los Atwater Village; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m.; through April 19. (213) 389-3856; www.circlextheatre.org
