This is one of those reviews that won’t tell you much, because you will want to be free of expectations to experience the full impact of this satiric script by Tracy Letts. As Director Mary Job relates in her note, “It begins as a hilarious political sitcom and ends up somewhere in the Twilight Zone.” So true.
The Big Cherry city council meeting is populated by an entertaining assortment of board-member types who deliver the laughs as they scrabble over their various causes and alliances. Mr. Peel, endearingly and earnestly played by Edward Heldt, missed the last meeting because of his mother’s funeral. We share his frustration as his colleagues avoid spilling the beans about what happened to Mr. Carp, a board member mysteriously absent after an incident at the previous meeting.
Ed shares the stage with an all-star ensemble cast: Brandon Arnold, Doak Bloss, Joe Clark, Joe Dickson Daniel Dye, Judith Evans, Matt Land, Gini Larson, Debbie Lundeen, and Rachel Mender. Each one is a distinct delight, and will probably remind you of someone with whom you’ve served on a board or committee. Their stylized “reenactment” of the cherished town legend is a highlight.
I was struck — or maybe tangled — by common threads this script shares with Joshua Harmon’s “Admissions" (which I proudly plug for the subsequent two weekends at Riverwalk.) The plays are very different but share threads of hypocrisy and conflicting values/priorities. Theatre goers who enjoy a spirited discussion on the car ride home should not miss either of these shows.
The Minutes runs September 7 - 10 & 14 - 17 and is performed at Sycamore Creek Church, 1919 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing (Peppermint's new performance space at Stage One won't open until October 1). Tickets are available at https://peppermintcreek.org/event/the-minutes/