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When MadLab says quintessential, they mean it.
The quirky and experimental theater troupe, who has come to define alternative theater locally, kicked off "The Quintessential Roulette" Thursday with a phenomenal showcase of three plays, in a lineup of 11 shorts being featured through Aug. 29.
"Quintessential" is a special tribute rerun of plays from the last 10 years of their popular annual shorts festival, "Theatre Roulette." (Check out our preview article on "The Quintessential Roulette" to get the full scoop on how this tribute show came about and to catch up on your history of MadLab and its "Theatre Roulette.")
Running like its regular "Roulette" shows, each week will feature three completely different nights of entertainment. We had the privilege of catching Night A, titled "Sticky Fingers." Here's our take on the three short plays featured.
The first, and decidedly best, script of the night was F.J. Hartland's "Postcards from a Dead Dog" (2008), the story of a mother and son's dysfunctional, yet devoted relationship. Melissa Blair's (who's reprising her role) commanding turn as the deteriorating, sharp-mouthed mother, who's dying of cancer, is the soul of this production, while Hartland's witty turns of phrase during a dramatic, slow-paced storyline are constant breaths of fresh air.
Justin Toomey, as the son, got off to a clunky start but definitely came into a nice stride, especially when the story took a sharp emotional turn. And the play thrives under Nikki Smith's stealth direction; her varied staging decisions strengthened the play's two-person dynamic.
"Smugglers Three" (2005) by David Lavine followed, with each of its three actors (all reprising their roles from 2005) giving a gut-busting performance as a motley crew of pill-thieving kidnappers.
Brian Spangler-Campbell shined as the moronic Pablo, a Latin bi-sexual addicted to the prescription pills the trio is trying to smuggle. Robert Stretch and Sarah Brunet showed amazing chemistry as Cliff and Kiki a quirky and dysfunctional Bonnie/Clyde duo.
Michael Erickson's "Alien Hand Syndrome," a pick from the most recent "Theatre Roulette," closed out the evening. Andy Batt stole the show, and maybe the night, as Mark, a man battling a right hand that's leading a life of its own. Batt brilliantly takes on a Jerry Lewis in "Nutty Professor" vibe, which includes an all out brawl between himself and his hand. The physical comedy in and of itself is worth acclaim.
Stephen Woosley also deserves a shout-out as Mark's pencil-necked boss, Mr. Smalls, and Dr. Carmody, Mark's slightly unhinged physician. Erin Prosser rounds out the cast as a coworker who falls for Mark's hand, who has named itself "Hank."
Add Erickson's witty parody of old school, low-production horror films and Jim Azelvandre's fast-paced direction and you've got a play, that's worth the night's headlining spot.
MadLab's "The Quintessential Roulette" continues Friday with three shows for Night B ("Empty Heads") and Saturday with four shows for Night C ("Bleeding Hearts").
"The Quintessential Roulette" runs 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays until Aug. 29 (the last night showcases all of the plays starting at 2 p.m.). Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens, and $6 for members. For each night's list of plays and more information visit the MadLab Theatre Web site.
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