This is one of those shows the pulls us in different directions. We both laugh at — and feel for —the predicaments of the characters. Bess Wohl’s script is a witty marvel. It reminded me of Urinetown (one of my favorites; coming soon by MSU Theatre) where we end up with more questions than answers, and are entertained along the way.
Dunia Zawideh is the frantic foreign-born franchise owner, teaching her new employees by the book. Anna Hill is a making-the-best-of it worker overtired by two jobs, Jesse Deardorf Green is a downsized banker trying to apply MBA skills, and Michelle Lerma is a pile of bad choices with a good heart. This “team” charges through the “foolishness and heroism’ in “the problematic state of the country,” as Director Andy Callis states in his Director’s Note.
Gregory from Corporate has a small but significant scene where we find out that there are “victim” all the way up the chain of command. Stephen Clark does an assertive, cowboy turn as an unsatisfied customer, and Ngedwa McCloud is fabulous as a surreal, inspirational roast beef sandwich.
This show is only 75 minutes (no intermission) with some “adult language and situations”. The very realistic set was designed by Bob Bernholz and enhanced by Signage Design by Taylor Riffle.
American Hero continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through March 25 in LCC’s Black Box (168 Gannon Building - park on Grand Ave & enter by the small door on the south end of the building.)
http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/