By Marilyn Jozwik
Lauren Gunderson has been one of America’s foremost playwrights for more than a decade, the nation’s most produced playwright for two of those years.
So, you can pretty much be certain it’s going to be a good afternoon or evening at the theater if Gunderson’s name is attached to the play.
Sunstone Studios, in its inaugural season, is presenting Gunderson’s “Exit, Pursued by a Bear,” its title based on an obscure Shakespeare stage direction. Stacy Madson is making her directorial debut.
Like other Gunderson shows, “Bear” is smart, edgy, creative, hilarious and relevant. And this incredibly talented cast of four puts an exclamation point behind each of those adjectives. There is constant movement with fast-paced, snappy dialogue that is nearly a laugh a minute. I could have watched this quartet all afternoon.
Gunderson throws everything but the kitchen sink into this play, in which a rural Georgia woman exacts revenge on her abusive husband. Nan Carter (Nicole McCarty), the show’s protagonist, immediately breaks the fourth wall to talk to the audience. Clever stage directions are projected on the wall. The words of President Jimmy Carter (no relation) are often spoken, as well as Shakespeare, with numerous popular references including Anderson Cooper, Ellen Degeneres, Subway, Fox News, Susan Boyle singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miz” on YouTube – even a really nice karaoke rendition of Jefferson Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us.”
In their modest backwoods home, Nan has duct-taped her husband Kyle (Jake Konrath) to a beat-up overstuffed recliner with the help of her stripper friend Sweetheart (Patrice L. Hood). Both women are Shakespeare fans and they intend to present to the bound-and-gagged Kyle a theatrical performance of his past misdeeds that have included physical and emotional abuse. In an ironic twist, Sweetheart plays Kyle in this play within a play. Later on, Nan’s gay friend Simon (Christopher Orth) arrives to lend his support to Nan’s theatrical project and plans for Kyle. Their intent is to leave Kyle there, in the chair, surrounded by bear-luring items. “Let nature in and get the hell out,” says Nan.
This cast is a finely-tuned machine, totally prepared and totally invested in this project. Their interactions flow so seamlessly, almost as if they could finish each other’s sentences. McCarty’s Nan is immediately likable with her sincerity. Her eyes are soft and imploring as she speaks to the audience. She expertly toggles through a whole range of emotions, from total defiant commitment to the Kyle comeuppance scheme to softening as he proclaims his penitence and love. “You can talk to me, baby,” Kyle tells her gently. “When you’re duct-taped to a chair we can talk,” she says, after having demonstrating his cruel misogyny. “Revenge is a core American value,” she tells the audience. Just a marvelous performance.
Hood’s Sweetheart is simply a delight to watch. Yet, when Orth’s Simon arrives in a red cheerleader’s outfit to help carry out the scheme the comedy explodes. The vengeful trio cavorts with excitement and energy as their clever plan propels them.
Meanwhile, Konrath as Kyle stays strapped to the chair, grunting his displeasure when he’s gagged, cajoling or ranting when he’s allowed to speak. Despite the fact that he’s usually seated, it is a very demanding role as Kyle is in a near constant state of agitation. Another gem of a performance.
The show is wonderfully staged, with effective set backdrops for a handful of flashbacks and well-timed sound to enhance the scenes. The cozy theater, formerly Off-the-Wall Theater’s space, provides a perfect playground for the performers to deliver this intimate show.
If you go
Who: Sunstone Studios
What: “Exit, Pursued by a Bear”
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 15 and 7 p.m. Monday, May 16
Where: 127 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Info: www.sunstonestudiosmke.com