Word: absurdist
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Playwright Friederich Dürrenmatt’s darkly comic tale of love, murder, identity and physics sparkles with absurdist charm thanks in large part to the production’s cast, which is stellar: each and every one. Alan D. Zackheim ’06 is somber and compelling as the solitary physicist-on-a-mission Johann Mobius, and his single-mindedly devoted yet star-crossed love interest Nurse Monika (Erica R. Lipez ’05) transcends the surreal and silly qualities of her character to turn in an occasionally poignant performance...
...Richard, is likewise funny and energetic, and carries his scenes with verve. In lesser, multiple roles, Carla M. Borras ’05, Jeremy R. Steinemann ’08 and Stephen T. Volpe ’07 all draw upon seemingly bottomless reserves of energy to create various absurdist caricatures and to tear about the stage in wonderfully orchestrated sequences of madcap physical humor...
...stage—Zigler’s direction made clear when and where the audience should focus its primary attention. Indeed, those moments when action suddenly stopped to showcase characters’ monologues, some of which were directed to the audience as omniscient asides, or to frame absurdist humor (a song and dance number about hustling) were dramatically effective and seamlessly executed. Much of the credit for this is also due to very competent lighting, particularly notable given Gilead’s rearrangement of the mainstage space such that the permanent lighting booth did not command a view...
...Blocker lets Stoppard’s vision pass to the audience unhindered. The absurdist set, by Julian M. Rose ’06, suggests a medieval production of “Laugh-In,” full of portals that slide open and swing shut, and staircases that zigzag to nowhere. It’s an illogical set to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and certainly to the audience, yet the play’s other characters navigate it with ease. It’s both funny and uncanny; in other words, it’s ideally suited to the play...
...Mike Judge. But the film that makes this program a must-see is Don Hertzfeldt’s brilliant satire Rejected, a nominee for the Best Animated Short Oscar in 2001. Rejected purports to track its animator’s unraveling as his absurdist shorts go unappreciated in the commercial world; it’s black, bizarre and riotous. It may also be the only Oscar nominee ever to feature an anthropomorphic puffball screaming “My anus is bleeding!” over and over. Friday at 5:15, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday...