FPP: The Pillowman

    Ok, so two things to start off here. First, by popular request I am now holding my reviews until after performances have closed. On the upside of this, it means I don't have to go to opening nights and can plan my schedule a lot more flexibly. On the downside, I can't tell you how it is before you go see it - you just gotta see it. Second, I didn't find a guest reviewer. This is mostly due to the fact that I forgot to ask someone (give me a break, I'm a busy guy ok?!?!?).

   Thankfully, however, I honestly feel I can review The Pillowman without reproach. Why? BECAUSE THERE IS LITERALLY NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION. FPP has definitely started out their season strong. So prepare for an all out fangirl post, because I truly loved this production.

Company Presentation

   Would you look at them there posters? It's intriguing, sharp, and clear, catching the attention of passers-by while also displaying all the information you need. The fountain pen was a nice idea, and the whole thing presents the show well.

   I got to the theater really early. Like, several hours early. Entering the theater was a little weird though. Audience members were asked to line up in a different direction and enter a different door than is typical on the vern. Though this was strange, it all made sense once you got inside.

Set

   Once I was in the theater the claustrophobia set in right away. I was funneled down a tight corridor created by the natural wall of the VernBox and a square of curtains tightening the space. When I did emerge into the inside of the square of curtains it was only to discover that the space had been entirely transformed. It was almost as if all the charm of the downstage had been transported to a place with way better lighting. The dark eerie feeling was added to by a seriously awesome sound design and some hanging jail-cell-style bars. It was sharp, angular, distinctly modern and yet strangely dated all at the same time. While the stage itself was simplistic, the stylized design gave a very distinct fell of what was to come.

Lights

   Lighting has always been a problem in the VernBox because some fool thought it would be a good idea to put in a white floor.

"Why put in a white floor, foo?"

       The techies in FPP deserve a big round of applause for fixing this one. Remember those risers you normally sit on? Look down, look back up, they're now the stage floor! Wait, look again, you're sitting on custom risers. What's that above you? The jail-cell set doubles as cell bar gobos! BOOM! The space has been changed and I'm riding backwards on a horse! Seriously cool stuff.

    Lighting throughout the show was very well done. No holes, just the right amount of shadow, and some really awesome effects. For the most part though Lighting Designer Bajowski succeeded in one of the best things a lighting designer can do: he made the transition nearly unnoticeable.

Acting

    The powerhouse men of student theater take the stage - and you better damn well pay attention. Former student theater staple, Arturo Lichauco, returns from abroad with a stunningly complex character. Welcome back, kid. We're happy to have you. Sean Quitzao, as officer Ariel mostly provides comedic relief throughout the performance. However, he also managed to create a wonderfully relatable, honorable man and one we truly feel for at the end of the play. STC newbie James Stricker does a good job as the slightly retarded, murderous, yet oddly lovable Michal. Though his greenness shines through at a few points, it was wonderful to see his interactions with Katurian. Which gets to my main point here. Nick Barabara delivers the best performance I've ever seen him give as Katurian K Katurian. Deep, thoughtful, and well realized, Katurian is the character who grabs you and doesn't let you go. One of the absolute finest male performances in my time at GW. Well done, friend.

Directing

    As I have said in previous posts, director Jenna Duncan is a dear friend of mine. So I won't say much here due to bias but I will say this: Jenna put on a show that was all around well thought out. Design was impeccable, characters were fully realized, and setting the show in the round made for an interesting and intimate setting.

The Pillowman was truly a phenomenal production and starts off FPP's season on a very high note. As I said to Jenna after the performance, I rarely give a standing ovation and only when it is well deserved. I was the first one standing. Congrats folks.

See you in the theater,

Ed

Check back next week for reviews of TRDA's Almost, Maine, Generic's Doubt, and a maybe (no guarantees) a special mention for the music department's parent's weekend cabaret.