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Belleville
Reviewed by Pauline Adamek
The Complex
Through June 25
RECOMMENDED:
Amy Herzog’s one-act play about a young married couple, Abby (Emily Rutan) and Zack (Lee Doud), living in the Parisian suburb of Belleville is fraught with anxiety and low-level tension. Recently relocated to France for her husband’s noble work with AIDS research, Abby is getting by as a yoga teacher but struggling with French language classes, which leaves her on the outer edges of society. She is alarmed to find Zack goofing off at home in the middle of a workday, but their awkward conversation only hints at a cache of unspoken drama. We learn she’s depressed they can’t return home to the U.S. for the holidays thanks to a visa mix-up, and she’s anxious about her sister’s pregnancy.
Her low-level neuroticism impels Zack to walk on eggshells around her, shielding her from a mounting pile of unpleasant truths. Their strained exchanges ratchet up the tension as we begin to wonder how long he can maintain his facade. Then, a scene between Zack and their landlord, a sympathetic local, Alioune (Karim Saleh), grants us clear insight into Zack’s precarious situation.
While the story seems to ramble, Herzog’s characters are nicely observed. Saleh in particular gives a fine performance, and his character’s refreshing honesty and directness offers a nice foil to the murky relationship between the American couple. Unfortunately some of the actors fail to project to the middle and back rows of the small black box theater, preferring to murmur their lines as if they were being filmed. Additionally, the overdone sound effects, all of which seem to emanate from the rear control booth, drown out some of the dialogue. When only the first two rows of your audience laugh at a joke, it’s time to take a hard look at sound levels. Nevertheless, Belleville is compelling viewing.
The Complex, 6470 Santa monica Blvd., Hlywd.; through June 25. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/2316
Jason and (Medea)
Reviewed by Pauline Adamek
Theatre Asylum
Through June 27
Jess Shoemaker’s modern interpretation of the ancient Greek myth of Jason and Medea distills the tale to its essence, emphasizing the love story over the usual focus on adventure and subsequent treachery. Shoemaker’s language is contemporary with flashes of poetry, while the dialogue concentrates on the psychological driving forces that underpin the characters’ bold actions. Jason is obsessed with a seemingly impossible quest, and confides his doubts in his own heroism. Medea is drawn to his passion and becomes determined to help him succeed.
Shoemaker is not afraid to show the ardent and sexual attraction between the two heroes, and Jessica Pohly’s Medea and Paul Culos’s Jason each have charisma to burn. I’m not really sure why Medea looks like an afterthought – she’s parenthetically referred to in the play’s title – as it’s her strength, incisive intelligence and power that ensures the victory of Jason’s heroic quest. Shoemaker also plays down the brutality of Medea’s vengeance after she is betrayed.
Beth Lopes directs the cast to imbue their dialogue with intense emotion. Scenes that are blandly narrated to stylized dramatic movement are less effective. The heart of the show lies in the expressive, mostly interior journey of Medea and Jason.
Theatre Asylum, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; through June 27.
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/2108
