Lady
The RoadTheatre presents a Terrific WEst Coast Premiere of "Lady"
The last show I saw at The Road was award-winning Bunbury, which turned out
to be my favorite play of all time. Taking the number two spot is, again,
produced by The Road Theatre Company. Written by Craig Wright and directed
by Scott Alan Smith, *LADY *takes the audience into the deep forest of
Moultrie County in Central Illinois for a hunting trip--and no one leaves
"untouched."
This remarkable play opens as Kenny (Matt Kirkwood) searches for his dog,
Lady. Kenny's indignant childhood friend, Dyson (Shawn Michael Patrick),
couldn't care less about the dog, as he has something more important on
his mind: his son's quest to join the military. Dyson explains to a distracted
Kenny that their mutual childhood friend, Graham (Mark Doerr), has gotten
carried away with his political powers ever since being elected to
Washington. Dyson believes that Graham is the reason his son yearns to
become an American soldier and is fully prepared to take the life of his
long-time friend if his son achieves his goal. After Kenny's dog is
accidentally shot, the theatre fills with the sounds of nose-sniffling
patrons, and we gaze upon an impressive tear-jerking scene for which Matt
Kirkwood deserves multiple award nominations. [Several times, I had to
excruciatingly bite my tongue so that my watery eyelids wouldn't drain onto
my cheeks.] After Kenny leaves to get a shovel, Graham and Dyson segue into
an argument upon which the story is based, exchanging equally-valid,
back-and-forth points of view.
In the end (I never ruin the ending of a play), you'll walk out finally
being able to take a deep breath as you text message your entire contact
list to "GO SEE '*LADY*.'"
Craig Wright, (creator of the popular TV show, *Dirty Sexy Money*) has a
story that must be heard, side-kicked with ingenious one liners. Director
Scott Alan Smith's creative decisions are intelligent and he presents a
plethora of intricately-sequenced moments.
One of the best things about 99-seat theatre is that you're so close to
The stage that you can watch a character think, and Shawn Michael Patrick's
acting skill is a perfect example of this. While showing absolutely no sign
of performing, he instead lays bare every sign of simply being a man who
cares deeply about his son. Mark Doerr is supremely astounding as Graham,
taming his character just perfectly enough not to be unlikable. To finalize
the cast list, Matt Kirkwood steals our hearts and our breaths with his
easier-said-than-done performance of Kenny, a character with a delightful
soul and a Rolodex of emotion. Stephen Gifford (set design) and Michelle
Carrier (scenic artist) combine their talents to create a setting so
wonderfully imaginative that the longer you stare at it, the more you'll
want what Kenny smokes.
With the economy what is today, previously-regular audience members from
outside the L.A. area seem to be cutting back on attending live
entertainment here. *LADY* is worth the extra tank of gas. In fact, it's
worth renting a bus and bringing along everyone you know.
The Road Theatre Company holds in its grasp some of Los Angeles's most
talented individuals, so theatre lovers would be out of their mind not to
click on them first in search of an enjoyable stage-play.