|
Kid-Simple: a radio play in the flesh by Sledgehammer Theatre  It’s a show seemingly made for Sledgehammer Theatre – a
creatively quirky epic that blasts your senses with sights and sounds. Jordan
Harrisun’s Kid-Simple, a radio play in the flesh, uses text and a
kaleidoscope of sounds to make noises visible and visuals audible. For the
first time in history you can actually hear dust bunnies hopping, toenails
growing, the cogs in your head turning, the sound of a heart breaking, and even
a muted hush.
This miracle has come to pass thanks to playwright Jordan Harrison and his very clever heroine Moll who, when not listening to her favorite radio play with her parents, loves to invent things. Moll has dubbed her latest creation “The Third Ear,” an invention she thinks was “kid-simple” to make. What she doesn’t realize is that her simple machine, though pretty cool at first, could end up destroying sound as we know it with unknowable consequences for the universe. But one unscrupulous and mysterious villain is willing to risk that, tricking the intelligent but romantically and socially challenged Moll into getting his hands on her machine. The rest of the story is her determined adventure to try to get the machine back – an adventure that is defined by an ever greater cacophony of sounds and visuals that leave you desperate for a little peace and quiet and a return to normalcy. The cast is led by Jeannine Marquie – a recent welcome addition to San Diego theatre whose endless well of charisma keeps your attention rapt even when your mind and body is exhausted in the latter part of the play. David McBean launches into multiple roles including Moll’s sleazy boyfriend who turns into the comically cold “Mercenary” out to control The Third Ear, and is not above seducing confused virgins (Moll’s nice friend Oliver played by Joel Rieck) in order to achieve his goals. Kati Behumi and Brian Salmon add peals of laughter in their roles as Moll’s peculiar parents who become more than just listeners to their favorite melodramatic radio play. Adding even more melodrama is Kim Strassburger as the show’s purposely over-the-top Narrator. Just as much leading characters as anyone else are the sight and sound guys like “The Foley” played by talented Scott Paulson who makes all those odd sounds of dust bunnies hopping, toenails growing, etc. and his off-stage teammate, Sound Designer Paul Peterson, not to mention Lighting Designer Brian S. Shevelenko and Projection Designer David Lee Cuthbert. Between those four and Scenic Designer Nick Fouch who puts the sound in its central location on stage (and adds a most amusing way for the parents to always make their entrance), it is easy to see that Director Scott Feldsher’s creation is a ringing success.Performs through July 11, 2004.
Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
Mother/Miss Kendricks: Kati Behumi Moll: Jeannine Marquie The Mercenary: David McBean The Foley: Scott Paulson Oliver: Joel Rieck Father, Wachtel, Voice One, AAA Guide: Brian Salmon Narrator: Kim Strassburger Director: Scott Feldsher Scenic Design: Nick Fouch Costume Design: Mary Larson Lighting Design: Brian S. Shevelenko Sound Design: Paul Peterson Projection Design: David Lee Cuthbert Stage Manager: Kathleen Reeves |