InvadeNOLA

For those of you who are familiar with the film version of the Patrick Marber creation (who also wrote the star-studded 2004 screenplay by-the-bye), what comes to mind immediately is Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter,” lots of British colloquialisms, and super-steamy, torturous lines like:

DAN: You’ve ruined my life.
ANNA:  You’ll get over it.

Now - toss it.  This Jonathan Mares Production, directed by Mike Harkins, in the theatre space of the AllWays Lounge strips the piece of the confectionary, Hollywood repose of its sister-film, in no way relying solely on A-list names to fill seats but A-list actors, whose earnestness and commitment to their roles will leave you feeling like a slightly remorseful Peeping-Tom; tantalized, transfixed, wanting more despite what unfolds.

The AllWays Theatre suits the piece perfectly and every moment was handled with conviction and care by Harkins’ ensemble, rising to the challenge of a piece possessing such a thirst for intimacy that cannot be quelled by the silver screen.

The simplicity and staccato of the language was embodied seamlessly by Harkins, not only in the work of the actors but via a backdrop projection framed in black denoting change of location and the minimalistic set aesthetic designed by Jessica Cook as well as the reuse of set pieces and props but in different ways from scene to scene, handled expertly by the stage crew.  I love lavish sets and costume budgets just as much as the next theatre fiend, but by embracing bareness, not a single moment was drawn away from the inner-worlds of these 4 people wrapped in the tangles of desire and deception.

I attended the opening night of this production (Thursday, March 17th), and although I had somewhat of an idea of what to expect from the play itself, it struck deeper, truer chords in me than I might have been prepared to face, which is where a whiskey ginger and cigarette made readily available to me just down the hall came in handy.  Catching me off guard, in spite of any first-night jitters experienced by cast or crew, this local premiere captures the brutality of love - beautifully.

My advice to the audience?  It’s a quiet, intense show, but there are a handful of laugh-out-loud moments- don’t be afraid to let it rip. And if you’ve endured a recent heartbreak, bring tissue - you’ll need it; the lump in your throat will tell you when.

My advice to the cast?  If the house is quiet, it’s because we don’t want to miss a single word! Some of us might’ve heard Julia Roberts and Jude Law say those lines, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear Kerry Cahill and Keith Launey do ‘em one better.

Moni is a professional Theatre Artist and Go-Getter living in New Orleans, working by day, theatre-ing all day-everyday.

Closer is running now through the 27th at the AllWays Lounge and Theatre, 2240 St. Claude Ave | Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8PM & Sundays @ 6PM.  Tickets are $15 General, $10 Students & Seniors. Cash only at the door.  RSVP on Facebook and call (504) 909-8230 or e-mail jmares86@aol.com to make reservations.