Hellz Kitchen Ablaze
This play was recently at the Elephant Lab., but is seeking an extended run elsewhere. For the most part, it is performed by very good actors, totally committed to portraying troubled, jaded, dirty cops caught up in their own twisted scheme to make money. Congregating in an abandoned warehouse, their paranoia and racism escalate as they await the arrival of loot from a recent raid, one in which one of their own has been killed.
Although there is much strutting around, displays of bravado, and sometimes a bit of over-the-top shouting, most of the action seems real and authentic. I particularly liked Michael Camacho with his fearless acting choices and Italian mannerisms. Gary Werntz was compelling with his simple humanity, becoming a balance to the frenetic excitement all around. Lisa London gives a short but brilliant portrayal of a young woman lost to drugs. Other members of this excellent ensemble are Jay Duncan, Stefan Lysenko, Robert Mangiardi, Phil Parolisi, and Charles Taylor.
Director David Fofi guides the cast precisely and firmly, avoiding forced or awkward blocking even when all eight characters are together on the small stage area. He allows the various stories of each character to effortlessly dovetail from one to another. Nothing seemed improvisational or haphazard, yet we are always aware always of the strong intent for realism.
Unfortunately, the script has the feel of a ‘wannabe’ film, perhaps one we have already seen many times before. The stereotypical characters and plot, along with the trite dialogue and predictability of action, made me happy that the intermission had been done away with and loose ends were all tied up within little more than an hour. On the night I attended the audience consisted primarily of young people, and I assume this sort of drama is exciting to the inexperienced; but the rest of us can only commend the obvious effort of those involved, while hoping to see a deeper and more worthwhile piece of theatre attempted by such dedicated performers.