"HFOBBLE," TriArts, Inc., at Stage Left Theatre
BY LUCIA MAURO
Commedia dell’arte, a slapstick-heavy form of masked theater dating back to 16th century Italy, is not the sort of style modern audiences would break down the theater doors to see. After all, if done in a manner akin to "Punch and Judy" puppet shows, it can degenerate into an overblown mugging spectacle. Thankfully, TriArts, Inc., is making commedia dell’arte – theater that also served as society’s humorous conscience, like the royal court’s jester – relevant again.
For "Hfobble," its third full-length commedia-based work receiving its world premiere at Stage Left Theater, the boundlessly malleable five-member cast teamed up with the City of Chicago’s Department on Aging. The show grew out of these weekly improvisational workshops in which senior citizens expressed to the actors their wish to set the record straight on certain misperceptions associated with growing old – from loss of libido to excessive flatulence.
The result is a concise and uproarious, touching and wildly inventive commedia riff on the transcendent beauty of the aging process. Set in the Hfobble House Senior Center, "Hfobble" revolves around embittered centegenarian Reginald Pennywhistle and his scheme to rob residents (via an electronic device) of whatever they hold most dear. Their spirits then undergo a devastating erosion as they lose their will to live.
Not unlike the shame Adam and Eve felt, these once-feisty souls become aware of the debilitating societal expectations toward pension-age individuals. The artists – accomplished vocalists, actors, clowns and acrobats – play multiple roles in rapid-fire succession. Yet they fully develop them all – including minor characters like a maid or Russian valet. Unforced improvisation and non-intimidating audience involvement make this performance a sprightly and all-inclusive event.
As the diabolical plot thickens, so does a larger and more timely issue. Reginald is also out to steal these folks’ social security numbers – quite a terrifying reality in this age of Big Brother, er Homeland Security.
Reginald, with the assistance of agoraphobic computer geek Theodius, manages to rob the sexually charged Ruby of her libido; the mild-mannered Walter of his candy; the hard-living Gert of her whiskey and cigars; and the Center’s ultra-efficient activities coordinator of his clip board. He is further aided by Gert’s evil daughter Grace. They even capture the Center’s good-hearted maid, Camilla, and sultry canine Vera.
Yet the seniors, despite diminished morale, vow to get their lives back from Reginald – and their scheme is worthy of an Austin Powers’ sequel. One of the most hilarious moments occurs when Anthony Courser’s Walter, disguised as a rabbit, pedals around Reginald’s garage headquarters on a miniature bicycle.
While appropriate for family audiences, "Hfobble" is in no way sugar coated. Yet it favors more artfully sculpted physical comedy than all-out bawdy slapstick. And the razor-sharp repartee – handled with grand-scale crustiness by the elegantly cursing Bryce Somerville as Reginald – puts these commedia artists in a sophisticated and spontaneous realm of wit.
Each artist endows each character with a believable multidimensionality. Allison Latta is especially endearing as the frisky Ruby and hateful yet hapless as the plotting Grace. Noel Williams moves with flawless ease from the gravely voiced Gert to the irrepressible bulldog Vera. Courser is subtly charismatic as the low-key, candy-nibbling Walter. Somerville tempers the curmudgeonly Reginald with a sad and lonely humanity, then transforms himself into a Valley Girl-like maid named Amy. And Brian Loevner anchors the show as an assortment of solid characters, like the activities coordinator (who also works for Seattle Sutton’s) and the beleaguered butler Sergei.
Their individually designed masks take on a rich life of their own. In fact, TriArts mask work is softly mesmerizing. It’s as if they channel the souls of their characters. And, through these personality-defining masks, they release their spirits. When only five performers came out for their curtain call, I was a bit startled. I felt as if I had just watched an exhilarating show performed by at least 15 actors.•
TriArts, Inc.’s production of "Hfobble" runs through December 1 at Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $12-$15. Call 773-866-8082, ext. 1 or log onto www.triarts.org.
