Theatre Review

Wilbury’s ’Stupid *** Bird’ good absurdist theatre

By Don Fowler
Posted 1/29/16

Wilbury Theatre once again proves to be Rhode Island’s most cutting edge theatre with its latest production of Aaron Posner’s “Stupid *** Bird.” adapted, as they say “sort of,” from …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
Theatre Review

Wilbury’s ’Stupid *** Bird’ good absurdist theatre

Posted

Wilbury Theatre once again proves to be Rhode Island’s most cutting edge theatre with its latest production of Aaron Posner’s “Stupid *** Bird.” adapted, as they say “sort of,” from Chekov’s “The Seagull.” We can’t print the second word of the title, but you can be sure that it signals that this is an adult play with adult themes and language.

Director Mark Peckham has assembled a great ensemble cast of seven who captivate the audience with acting that could be labeled as absurdist and way out of the box. A huge poster to the left of the stage proclaims “The world is of course nothing but our conception of it,” a theme that plays throughout the production.

Chekhov fans will note a number of similarities to his Russian play and characters, who now become a group of modern Americans and like the Russians are unhappy, lonely and filled with despair.

Wilbury Artistic Director Josh Short gives an amazing performance as Con, son of a domineering, ego-centered actress (Melissa Penick) who is in love with Trigorin, a famous writer (Brien Lang). Con loves Nina (Shannon Harman), who has her eyes of Trigorin, and on and on it goes, with none of the characters happy in their relationships, while Mash (Rachel Delude) and Dev (Andrew Iacovelli) are also having a rough go with it.

If all this sounds a bit confusing, it is at first, until everything comes together in the second act. And when the lights go out and you think the play is over, the actors rearrange the set for a third act, which takes place four years later at Dr. Sorn’s 60th birthday party.

Dr. Sorn (Vince Petronio) is the only unattached character, and the only one who seems to represent any sense of hope…until the final scenes, when we discover that he has faked his feelings. Sorn is also the only character in the play that appears to have control of himself. Petronio’s subtle, compassionate performance brings the house down when he delivers the best line in the play. It’s about old age, but I won’t give it away.

There are some great lines in the play, so pay attention, because there are also some absurd ones, which the younger audience members seemed to enjoy more than I. Characters occasionally engage the audience, talking directly to them and asking rhetoric questions. Short is a master at the technique, occasionally going ballistic. “What can be harder than life,” a character asks the audience, one of many rhetorical questions raised by this challenging, interesting and occasionally brilliant play.

At Wilbury Theatre, 393 Broad St., Providence, through February 6. Call 400-7100 for reservations.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here