Theater Reviews

Dec 15, 2007 - Reno Little Theater's silly little computer show, "The Bug," pratfalls merrily along

By Jack Neal

Richard Strand’s little-known, mildly amusing, silly play, “The Bug,” pratfalls its way to endearment. “The Bug” is being produced by Reno Little Theater and is directed by Jim Martin, who knows thin material when he reads, then leads it. To his credit, Martin keeps things rolling merrily along in a swift, 75-minute show that never lags.

But lag it or not, like a watched pot that never boils, the plot in this office farce never thickens. So low on the totem poll at the Jericho Company that his job is subterranean, Dennis Post (Scott D.F. Peters) thrashes around in the office green room just outside President Mark Kropp’s door. President Kropp, unlike a president who comes to mind and shant (for security reasons) be named, is never seen - just heard (the off-stage voice of George Spelvin). Post creates havoc for three dedicated Jericho Company computer nerds hunkered over keyboards, hypnotized by the eerie blue light emanating from their beloved monitors.

Linda Taylor (Annikki Larsson), the screamer, is lost in cyberspace. David Rajeski (Rob Shader), the dour one, is lost in company speak. Kimberly Miles (Ellen Reiterman), the weeper (she’s worried she’s made some dreadful mistake), is simply lost.

Post is a whistle-blower who claims knowledge of a shocking company scandal and cover-up. A manager who hasn’t worked in months still gets stellar performance reviews. Post wonders why? In a series of nervous puns, goofy pratfalls, and silly sight gags, Post shatters office serenity, not to mention productivity. Needless to say, he’s not welcome.

What is welcome are four solid-to-terrific performances glued together by Martin’s smart, edgy direction that makes the show sail along with nary a care in the world.

As Post, Scott D.F. Reeves is terrific. “The Bug” could not survive without Reeves’s perfect timing (a salvo delivery of lines), athletic tumbles (he flies over chairs with the greatest of ease), mugging (he plays to the audience because it’s too smart to buy what’s going on), and marvelous assurance of characterization (Reeves as Post is genius casting). If Reeves is not the consummate Dennis Post of whatever legend of “The Bug” there is, he must be within a hairsbreadth of being so.

As Linda, Larsson is excellent. She tends to shriek, but when one’s composure is challenged, what’s a computer girl to do? As David, Shader delivers lines like a pro. It’s a company line straight out of that grand old Golden Rule, “let the company do to you, before you can do to it.” Shader is so expert at board-room spin he could be on Fox News. As Kimberly, Reiterman, too, is excellent. She’s psychotic and uncomfortably comfortable with her dysfunctions. This marvelous trio of support players provides Reeves with a springboard to comedy that’s one of Reno Little Theater’s brightest moments.

Larry Seymour’s set is office deco. Whatever that means, it’s positive. Amanda Alvey’s collection of costumes (probably not really designs) are obnoxiously just right for the characters who wear them. Whatever that means, it’s positive. Doug Mishler’s lighting goes a long way to making this Jericho Company office an inviting place for an offbeat little comedy like “The Bug.” And that’s very positive.

The Reno Little Theater’s production of “The Bug” can be seen at the Hug High School Theater, 2880 Sutro Street (at North McCarran Boulevard), Reno, Nevada, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m. and December 2, 9 (the performance reviewed), 16 (2007) at 2 p.m. For information call 775-329-0661 or go on line at www.renolittletheater.org.