GPackwood: RT @mbkeever: Reckless Endeavor plays upstairs at Fitzgerald's (Houston TX) on Dec. 19 at 11PM. Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 from me.
about 2 hours ago
mbkeever: Reckless Endeavor plays upstairs at Fitzgerald's on Dec. 19 at 11PM. Tickets are $10 at the door or, if you buy them from me beforehand, $8.
about 4 hours ago
gbailey9: @HunniGurl shoot I would but i dont wanna go no where with ur reckless ass..probably try to fight me or anyone else there LMAO!
about 5 hours ago
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| Published Nov. 15, 2005 at 5:18 a.m. |
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RSVP Productions' performance of Craig Lucas' Broadway show "Reckless" could easily be re-named, "Pointless," "Worthless," "Endless" -- you get the picture. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a quirky holiday play at 7 p.m. on a Sunday night. Perhaps.
The space was nice enough, though. Brady Street Pharmacy owner James Searles did a remarkable job creating a performance area, furnishing it with beautiful old seats from the former movie theater. Occasionally the show was punctuated with sounds of waitstaff bussing tables, but to be honest, I rather welcomed any type of distraction from the fairly random plot action.
One comfort was the opening scene with Tom Fitzsimmons, played by Kirk Thomsen and his wife Rachel (Carrie McGhee). The man could be the poster boy for a new line of sexy men's pajamas by Victoria's Secret. Whew! No ripples of emotion could budge his impeccable eyebrows, but he genuinely appeared stressed as Rachel gushed about how much she loved Christmas. He artfully transitioned to a mixture of sadness, fear and regret as he unburdened himself of his dark secret.
Rachel, on the other hand, did nothing for me. She even had several different identities and yet still couldn't break out of a somewhat one-dimensional performance. It was difficult to believe she had children due to the absence of -- "motherliness" -- for lack of a better word. If she hadn't called her neighbor Jeanette and asked her to "look in on the boys for me," I would have forgotten about them altogether.
Lighting by Nick DaVia and Adam Strange was minimal, but effective. The use of a single spotlight to simulate watching TV or when Rachel was being examined by a psychiatrist efficiently got the point across. The sound effects were pretty average. Intermittent songs that sounded like Judy Garland or Rosemary Clooney were soothing respites from the hijinks of the caricatures, I mean actors, onstage. Tom Backes' minimalist, but versatile set design easily shifted with each random plot twist and jerk. Movable wooden blocks served as the bulk of the props, and were flanked by a hanging window with sprayed on snow as well as a lit-up Christmas tree in the back corner of the stage.
Cynthia L. Paplaczyk's performance of Pooty -- Lloyd's paraplegic, deaf-mute wife -- was almost cartoonish. How could she not be with a name like that? Curt and Colleen Hart, however, are to be commended for their sign language coaching. Lloyd and Pooty's communication lent a tender facet to their relationship with each other and, eventually, Rachel. In fact, in a particularly grating moment when Lloyd shouts at her to shut up, Rachel's signing of "I'm sorry" is a nice touch.
Conversely, Earl Scharnick's portrayal of Rachel's boss was extremely irritating. He spoke to her and co-worker Trish (Cheryl Ann) in a nails-on-a-chalkboard voice, which lost its novelty after approximately five seconds. Trish, however, was wearing some great chartreuse cowgirl boots and was convincingly cold to the ever-prying Rachel, who just couldn't get her head around the fact that Trish didn't love Christmas. Without skipping a beat, Trish replies, "My parents were killed when I was 6 months old." That shut her up, even if just momentarily.
If you are in the mood for a wacky, crazy-go-nuts dose of pre-holiday antics, then RSVP's "Reckless" is for you. If you want to see some good theater, however, take a pass on this one.
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4 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by OMCreader on Dec. 7, 2005 at 5:13 p.m. (report)
Raymond Bradford said: It is now one month since "Reckless" closed. I very much enjoyed directing the play. I agree, that 7pm on a Sunday--just a few days after Halloween..is not perfect timing for a Christmas themed show. My original late November Holiday dates were changed, because RSVP moved venues. I recently read the review, as it had come out after the show had closed. Sarah was honest, this type of script was not her type of theater. The show has worked for some theaters, and not for others. It is just a matter of taste. As a director, I choose shows that speak to me. Sarah made comments about the main role, and how there were no motherly instincts. On a personal note, my own deceased Mother told her family that now that her children were grown...she felt she had fulfilled her job in life. She went into deep depression, even left her family at one point....and died young. Yes,she had fulfilled her job in life, but we miss her very much. "Reckless" touched my life..as it did hit home. I certainly can understand that someone who has not had a similar life experience, would find that plot cold. But, these things happen in life, and theater is a place to express such feelings of loss!! I respect the opinion of any critic. It is one persons opinion.
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Posted by OMCreader on Dec. 3, 2005 at 12:57 a.m. (report)
Sober patron said: How could this critic review the play, hear the music, or comment on the set, when she saw the entire production with several drinks in her system. She even missed the opening of the 2nd act,as she was out drinking. Her empty chair was next to mine. I would rather read Russ or Ken, as they are professionals. Sitting near her and her female partner--the friend took off her shoes in the aisle. She had more to drink than the critic. I personally had a blast,and loved this show. On Broadway the lead was up for a Tony award.
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Posted by OMCreader on Dec. 2, 2005 at 2:46 p.m. (report)
Mr. Loud Mouth said: There was a loud mouth in the audience the night the critic was there. He made the show uncomfortable for the entire audience to watch. Needless to say, this man ruined a fine show.
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Posted by OMCreader on Dec. 2, 2005 at 2:42 p.m. (report)
Second opinion said: I saw that"Reckless" was advertised as a bizarre Christmas story. I went to the theater expecting such a play. I did some research on the internet...as one could see, the critic did not. "Reckless" was based on actual facts in the life of author Craig Lucas. Not everyone has a wonderful Christmas. The Holiday can be difficult for the homeless, and a single people. "Reckless" addressed these issues. I personally found the ending very beautiful. What I respect about RSVP Productions, is that it does take a chance. How often can one see "The Nerd". "Reckless" makes one think! The critic was honest with her opinion. We all respect that...she has been hard on many shows. This show hit some issues that she was sensitive to. On Broadway the show was either loved or hated. The brilliant Steppenwolf company in Chicago was unsuccessful in getting good reviews for the same show. The night I saw RSVP there it was a full house, and the people just laughed and laughed. The applause was amazing. As for Kirk Thomsen,he is not available...get it out of your mind. Review the play not the bodies....tacky, tacky, tacky....but true. He is cute. I hope RSVP continues to take a chance. Send out critics who enjoy bizarre and unfamilar works. This critic better not take in Off- Broadway. There are people out there who do not like "Sound of Music" you know.
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