Monday, November 19, 2007

Theater Review: The Boxer

By Mark-Brian Sonna of MBS Productions

Stop what you are doing right now and order your tickets to go see The Boxer.

Okay, you can now continue reading this review.

The Boxer currently presented by Bootstraps Comedy Theater and playing at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts is one of the freshest most original plays I’ve seen. The premise is so simply absurd it’s brilliant: do a piece of theatre as if it were a silent film. No dialogue, just a few projected words on a screen, and some delicious silent film style acting on stage. Matt Lyle, the genius behind this production, has created a piece of theatrical confection that delights, amuses, and entertains. Mr. Lyle is very smart in keeping the show to its 60 minute length; any longer the joke might have worn out. By keeping it short he is able pack it full of quality making the show well worth the price of admission.

The Boxer could be a Mack Sennett “three reeler” film. Mr. Lyle has done his research and captured some of the comedic gesticulation from this mostly forgotten era of film and brought it back to life. It helps that the entire troupe of is competent and talented. They are able to perfectly tell the story with its simple plot and complicated sight gags. Every joke lands and the timing is beautiful.

Kim Lyle is Velma, the hapless lead. Velma finds herself having to pass as a man and later becomes the trainer for an equally hapless boxer played by Jeff Swearingen. She can roll her eyes better then just about any other actor I’ve seen. Her face paints a myriad of expressions, and one wonders if her face muscles ever get tired. Jeff Swearingen can do pratfalls on a par with Chaplin or Buster Keaton. To say he throws his whole body into his acting is an understatement. Brilliant on his own, when he pairs up with Ms. Lyle, it is comic nirvana.

Joel McDonald, Ben Bryant, Steve Jones, Kineta Massey, Jennifer Youle, Tara Christensen, and Laurie Williamson round out the cast. Each gets their own moment to shine and they do it well. The Fairy sequence choreographed by Nancy Schaeffer was as light as a whipped cream, and as funny as a pie in the face. Ms. Schaeffer and the “dancers” certainly captured the feel of the era. This said, every now and then there is a modern day wink and a nod acknowledging the absurdity of it all. This balance of genuine performance and tongue in cheek is most difficult to pull off; all involved succeed.

Adding to the zany mix of talent are the two gifted musicians B. Wolf and Johnny Sequenzia. This duo plays the musical score and the sound effects. Part of the pleasure is listening to irreverent musical moments that emphasize the comedy on stage. I wish not to spoil it so I won’t give the exact details, but there is a musical moment that pays homage to “My Fair Lady” that made me bust out loud laughing. It was a bit of a more obscure reference for I was the only one in the audience that seemed to have caught it, but that is what makes this show so delightful: it appeals to those who are theatre buffs, and those who are less “in the know.”

The costumes by Aaron Turner, the lighting by Joyous Israel, and the scenic design by Ms. Lyle, were wonderfully executed. They also hit the right balance between period authenticity and cheesy. The silent era film clips and film done by Karl Schaeffer added an additional fun dimension to the show. The blooper at the end of the performance caused the biggest laugh of the night and was the perfect way to end the evening.

This entire production is so well conceived that if pressed I couldn’t find a flaw. Well yes, there is one: I wanted a souvenir, and there were none to be had. Seldom do I see a show that would make me want to buy a souvenir to remember the show by. I’d have gladly forked out fifteen or twenty bucks for a t shirt or a mug. Even the show’s artwork by Mark Oristano is great!

So please, catch this show. You will be deliriously glad you did!

The Boxer plays though December 2, 2007. Tickets and more information are available online or by calling 214-642-4253.

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