Donald V. Calamia (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} critic_don) wrote,@ 2008-03-08 10:28:00 |
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THE BUZZ ABOUT BUG
Something rather unusual was happening over the past two weeks: Theater professionals all over the Detroit/Ann Arbor area were talking about one particular show, and they had nothing but positive things to say about it. In fact, since I hadn't reviewed it - Bob Bethune got that particular assignment - several area professionals encouraged me to make time to see it. (That doesn't happen very often, I might add.)
So I did, last night. (Yes, my butt was parked in yet another theater on my night off. But mine wasn't the only one, as Kate Peckham of Detroit's Mosaic Theatre and actor Kevin Young, who will soon be seen starring opposite Robert Grossman in Exits and Entrances at Performance Network, were also in attendance.)
And I'm glad I did. Because BUG at The Ringwald Theatre in fabulous Ferndale was one heck of a night of theater!
One aspect of the show that I kept hearing about was how impressed industry professionals were with Joe Plambeck's direction. And I concur. It's a very intense script populated by some very troubled people, and Joe2 (as he's called, since his partner Joe Bailey serves as the theater's artistic director) has pulled some amazing performances out of his actors. Plus, he's found ALL of the script's emotional beats and develops them quite well. The end result will make you glad YOUR life isn't as buggy as these characters' lives are. (And the show's bloodiness made one of my friends remark afterward that he probably wouldn't be ordering spaghetti at Maria's Front Room where we went for a late-night dinner.)
Another comment I heard a handful of times from area thespians was how well Joe2 utilized the small, intimate space. (Don't expect big or fancy sets. The show's power and focus will keep you riveted where it should be: on the actors.)
So if you're inclined to check out BUG, you'd better hurry: It closes this Monday night (March 10).
Something rather unusual was happening over the past two weeks: Theater professionals all over the Detroit/Ann Arbor area were talking about one particular show, and they had nothing but positive things to say about it. In fact, since I hadn't reviewed it - Bob Bethune got that particular assignment - several area professionals encouraged me to make time to see it. (That doesn't happen very often, I might add.)
So I did, last night. (Yes, my butt was parked in yet another theater on my night off. But mine wasn't the only one, as Kate Peckham of Detroit's Mosaic Theatre and actor Kevin Young, who will soon be seen starring opposite Robert Grossman in Exits and Entrances at Performance Network, were also in attendance.)
And I'm glad I did. Because BUG at The Ringwald Theatre in fabulous Ferndale was one heck of a night of theater!
One aspect of the show that I kept hearing about was how impressed industry professionals were with Joe Plambeck's direction. And I concur. It's a very intense script populated by some very troubled people, and Joe2 (as he's called, since his partner Joe Bailey serves as the theater's artistic director) has pulled some amazing performances out of his actors. Plus, he's found ALL of the script's emotional beats and develops them quite well. The end result will make you glad YOUR life isn't as buggy as these characters' lives are. (And the show's bloodiness made one of my friends remark afterward that he probably wouldn't be ordering spaghetti at Maria's Front Room where we went for a late-night dinner.)
Another comment I heard a handful of times from area thespians was how well Joe2 utilized the small, intimate space. (Don't expect big or fancy sets. The show's power and focus will keep you riveted where it should be: on the actors.)
So if you're inclined to check out BUG, you'd better hurry: It closes this Monday night (March 10).
