BEST OF FRIENDS at Riverwalk is a mini-gem not to be missed. Four excellent actors actively pump life into Jeff Daniels’ frantic foxtrot of reciprocation and retaliation, under the masterful “choreography” of director Bob Robinson. The show is only about 80 minutes, with no intermission — which allows the fast-paced craziness of this script to effectively build to it’s twisted conclusion. You don’t want to know too much of “what happens” as these two couples bounce in and out of a beautiful interchangeable living room (set design Jeff Boerger) and also in and out of “then and now” — frequently breaking the fourth wall to let us in on their slights and conspiracies.
Real life spouses Jeff Magnuson and Amy Rickett are married to the others, onstage. Both bring a wonderful, vicious childishness to their roles. Former Frankenstein's “monster” Chris Goeckel proves he CAN speak, and provoke, and spar and banter with the best of them. Cassie Little, fresh from her excellent performance in The Little Dog Laughed, brings a vulnerable sincerity that also falls victim to the viral one-upmanship and game playing.
When I first read/saw a scene from this show at the pre-season director’s workshop, I thought I wouldn’t like it; it seemed mean and petty — but in the context of the whole show, the mean pettiness not only brings laughs but also makes a statement about the “evolution” of relationships and the fragility of our egos. And it’s a lot of fun!
Continues through June 7 - 7pm Thur, 8pm Fri/Sat, 2pm Sun.www.riverwalktheatre.com482-5700
Real life spouses Jeff Magnuson and Amy Rickett are married to the others, onstage. Both bring a wonderful, vicious childishness to their roles. Former Frankenstein's “monster” Chris Goeckel proves he CAN speak, and provoke, and spar and banter with the best of them. Cassie Little, fresh from her excellent performance in The Little Dog Laughed, brings a vulnerable sincerity that also falls victim to the viral one-upmanship and game playing.
When I first read/saw a scene from this show at the pre-season director’s workshop, I thought I wouldn’t like it; it seemed mean and petty — but in the context of the whole show, the mean pettiness not only brings laughs but also makes a statement about the “evolution” of relationships and the fragility of our egos. And it’s a lot of fun!
Continues through June 7 - 7pm Thur, 8pm Fri/Sat, 2pm Sun.www.riverwalktheatre.com482-5700
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