Theater Reviews

Oct 3, 2005 - Nevada Rep's "Free" skips the housewives part and goes directly to desperate people

By Jack Neal

Dysfunction has become such a recognized part of our culture most people assume they are from a dysfunctional family and accept it. Just how dysfunctional before something snaps is the point of concern for Simon Bowen's three-year old play, "Free," being presented by the Nevada Repertory Company.

Dysfunction can be charming. Cher's family in "Moonstruck" is heartwarming dysfunction. Dysfunction can be tragic, as in the case of Medea, or the worst incidents of postpartum depression. Dysfunction can be funny (and profitable) as in the case of Anna Nicole Smith, whose money dysfunction is making its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Free" is directed by Bob Dillard, who has stunningly staged this play about fractured lives. "Free" opened Friday (9/30/05) in Reno at the Redfield Studio Theatre for a seven-performance run. The play has as a strong, beautifully balanced speaking cast of eight, with eight others fleshing out various roles as pedestrians, commuters and travelers.

With the chatter of cocktail-party guests relishing the nostalgia of childhood pictures as they flash past, Louis Armstrong's singing of "It's A Wonderful World" frames the play. From a warm and fuzzy beginning through the humor and tragedy of playwright Bowen's vignettes from life, "Free" is about relationships, the rat-race of life, the desperation of wanting something more and the fear of not getting it. Is real freedom achieved only when life ends?

To create provocative impressions of what life is about, Mr. Bowen at first pairs his characters and then entangles them.

Kate (Susan Lingelbach), a highly successful young businesswoman, encounters Sophie (Jenifer Crenshaw), who's looking for work with only the prestige of having a good job as her goal. David (Maurice Palermo), Kate's father who is not above being intrigued by sexy young men, encounters Danny (Nicholas Stanton), who doesn't mind using his body to get what he wants.

Chris (Nick Nealon), a fresh looking neurotic young man who likes to travel, is the significant other of Melody (McKenzi L. Swinehart), an upward bound executive assistant who cancels out on a planned trip with Chris because it would interfere with her career. Enter Alex (Ryan E Palomo), a young executive type, who is attached (somewhat) to the nicely turned out but constantly broke Sophie, and what passes for the play's plot begins to thicken. It thickens still more when Nick (Bradford D. Ka'ai'ai), a highly successful businessman and Melody's boss, meets Sophie and Alex at a bar and Sophie bolts leaving Alex and Nick alone to drink the night away.

Much like musical chairs, whenever the story makes a sudden turn, Simon Bowen's characters switch partners providing another, often startling, dimension to their personalities. Is real freedom achieved only when life ends?

The cast is uniformly fine.

Ms. Lingelbach (Kate) is the steely boss who loves success more than anything else. Jenifer Crenshaw (Sophie) is the spoiled young woman with lots of resources but no money. Sophie wants to succeed in life without really trying. Maurice Palerno (David), around whom the plot takes its turn to the dark side, is Kate's dad but he can't make being dad pay off either emotionally or financially. Danny (Nicholas Stanton) is the most chameleon of the play's characters and he manages his duplicity with conviction.

Nick Nealon (Chris) is the play's most vulnerable male and he's quite convincing at being a mess. McKenzie L Swinehart (Melody) is the play's most needy female. Her subtle performance makes neediness a compelling condition. Ryan E. Palomo (Chris) is the play's most veneer personality, yet Mr. Palomo's shallowness is the shallowness of depth that gives "Free" its momentum. Bradford D. Kai'ai'ai (Nick) is very comfortable wallowing in his own success. He's the chief executive officer who impacts lives without either realizing - or caring - about his impact on others.

There are no weak performances.

David Seibert's attractive minimal set, Justin Peeks' pinpoint lighting, Michael Fernbach's sound designs (an affecting selection of musical underscoring), and Michelle Spencer Davidson's costume, hair and makeup designs are without exception splendid and free "Free" so that it flows without hesitation. (The play runs approximately two hours with intermission.)

All of "Free's" dramatic and production values are exceptionally well managed. Credit for getting so much right goes to the director. It's Bob Dillard's sensitive directing that gives "Free" the rhythm that makes it dance.

"Free" can be seen at the Redfield Studio Theatre on the University of Nevada Reno campus, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Sep. 30, Oct. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 (2005) at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m. For information call 1-800-225-2277 or 775-784-4046 or 775-784-6847.