Theater Review: Rubicon's Joyful Noise

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 16, 2007 3:50PM

Quincy Long’s The Joy of Going Somewhere is performed sans scenery, props, and fancy costumes. In Rubicon Theatre’s production, the set is low tech: a few chairs, a table and a couple of risers on hand for quick scene changes. But out of the ether, Director Josh Johnson, his cast, and a Foley artist construct a rich world and lead a journey worth taking.

It’s a mistake to assume producing such a low-tech show is easy. This is theater at its purest, where every gesture, stage direction, and live sound effect is front and center. Aside from a few moments of uneven pantomime and out-of-sync sound effects, Director Josh Johnson and his cast have nailed it, finding the sadly comic poetry in Long’s script.

That journey begins in a bar, where unemployed loggers’ more charming than obnoxious bond over beers and song, and ends up in the living room of the unsuspecting Marie (Michele Gross). Raymond’s (Adam Prugh) drunken logic leads them there. The elder Merle (Peter Esposito) and baby faced Junior (Jeromy Spraker) go along, less out of respect than a lack of other ideas. An encounter with The Stranger (the understated Ron Popp) and the note tucked in his hat inspires Raymond to play matchmaker.

Imagination’s at the heart of this story. Raymond imagines his kingdom and the brotherhood of man disintegrating. With a few household items, Foley artist Micah Rademacher brings to life the back of a pickup truck and the cramped confines of an ice shack. Prugh’s Raymond is a tragic figure in a flannel shirt, smart and charismatic but stubborn and drunk enough to lead everyone awry. Credit’s due to him, Esposito and Spraker for their solid chemistry and for respecting these dudes as flawed Everymen. And for all the male swagger in this show (Raymond: “Every man’s entitled to a woman and an automobile”), the women more than hold their own. Gross’ layered performance elicits Marie’s quiet neurosis and misplaced compassion while triple-cast Kassi Dallmann keeps the guys in check.

This low-tech adventure from a young and relatively unknown company in an early-week run likely won’t get much attention. Too bad, since it’s worth a look.

The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite plays at Live Bait Theatre, 3914 N Clark St, Sundays – Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. through April 3. Tickets are $20, discounts available for students and industry. More information at www.rubicontheatreproject.org