EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR – Written by Lauren Gunderson; Directed by Tamarra Nelson. Produced by Shifted Lens Theatre Company (presented at the People’s Building, 9995 East Colfax, Aurora) through February 1. Tickets available at thepeoplesbuilding.com.
What do you get when you mix a stripper who quotes Shakespeare, an animal-loving wife on the verge, a gay cheerleader/best friend, and a philandering husband? You get Lauren Gunderson’s EXIT CHASED BY A BEAR now playing at the People’s Building. And you have a fun night out. Playwright Gunderson is known for her witty provocative look at unusual situations. Denver audiences have enjoyed productions of THE REVOLUTIONISTS (four women during the French revolution taking refuge from the guillotine together), THE SILENT SKY (the journey of female “human computers” who tracked the stars), and THE BOOK OF WILL (a play about Shakespeare and how his plays were saved). Her active imagination has filled theatres across the country.
Including this witty and thoughtful dramady now playing at the People’s Building for one more weekend. Nan is fed up with being abused by Kyle, her lout of a husband. She has devised a plan with her best bud, Sweetheart, who is a Shakespeare lover making a living by stripping at the local joint until her big break. They are going to immobilize Kyle and force him to watch them act out scenes of his abuse of his wife. Then they are going to leave him in the chair, cover him with honey and spread fresh venison around the room as bait for the bears that wander around their trailer park occasionally. Then LEAVE.
As the evening progresses, we get a glimpse of the abuse Nan has lived through, sweetly but graphically acted by her stripper best friend. By having her female buddy portray her male husband in these scenes, the audience gets the full picture of Nan’s life, but it’s not as torturous as watching the same scene acted out with the husband recreating the past abusive incidents. When the true picture of Kyle’s reprehensible behavior is revealed, Nan’s decision to leave is mentally applauded by all involved, including the audience. At times, in spite of herself, Nan weakens, and you are left with “will she or won’t she.” The fourth character is Simon, another true and loyal friend who is committed to getting his friend out of this house and Kyle’s clutches. Scenes that revisit the couple’s courtship and early years underline Nan’s mental conflict.
The cast of this show is extraordinary and displays total commitment to their story. Maria Cena, as the tormented but determined Nan, makes her mood swings entirely believable and heartbreaking. Her character’s last name is Carter, and she pays homage to her hero Jimmy Carter throughout the evening by quoting his words that reinforce her resolve to remedy her situation. She is small of stature, but as an actress, tall in talent. Annalise Farmer, though cast against type, is glorious as a stripper who wants to be an actress and spouts Shakespeare with ease. Including providing the inspiration for the title, a stage direction from Shakespeare’s A WINTER’S TALE. Her version of the brutal husband somehow manages to be equally appalling and funny at the same time. Her loyalty is unflagging and her ability to improvise on the spot to control the husband’s bullshit is a joy to behold.
The men are equally well cast. Jysten Atom as the unflappable Simon, friend and protector, is comic relief and guardian angel wrapped up in one. His arrival in the trailer dressed in a cheerleader’s costume with pom pom’s is comic gold. There is never, in any way, that Jysten Atom, while cast in a supposedly minor role, is ever going to be a minor player. He goes from role to role, each one crazily different and unique. As one of John Moore’s “Ones to Watch,” he is cutting a wide swath through the theatrical community in diverse and charming roles. Aiden Blank wallows in his redneck glory, sweating and cussing. When that doesn’t work, he puts on the po’ boy charm as equally convincing. You almost believe him. The key here is ALMOST.
The set of the inside of a trailer home is believable with the broken-down recliner and the TV on the wall that announces new scenes and explanations – just in case you missed something. In homage to this adventure to independence, the play is set on the 4th of July. Lighting designer Maxwell O’Neil and Sound Designer Ann McCarl created an impressive fireworks display.
This evening provides many opportunities to root for all the characters. It also keeps the suspense alive; you never quite know how it’s going to end. It also frequently moves in unexpected directions. Which means you are going to be guessing and pondering all the way through. You LOVE that, don’t you!?
A WOW factor of 8.50!!