Theater Review
Something different is going on at the Pierson Playhouse, where Theatre Palisades’ production of Larry Shue’s comedic play, ‘The Nerd,’ premiered Friday night. Directed by Brian Harris and produced by Martha Hunter and Andrew Frew, the play, set in 1981, stars Jeremy Di Paolo as Indiana resident Willum Cubbert and Eric Mello as Rick Steadman, the titular nerd. In addition to Di Paolo and Mello, the cast features Story Cunningham as Willum’s love interest, Tansy, who is about to move to Washington, D.C. to pursue a weathergirl career in local news and, in effect, end their relationship. Adam Rotenberg’s opinionated and cynical drama critic Axel (‘Ever seen anything good?’ Tanzy asks him) rounds out something of a relationship triangle. An obnoxious voice from Willum’s past, Rick happens to be visiting from Wisconsin in time for Willum’s 34th birthday party, a crossroads juncture for the aging architect. Willum feels obligated to invite Rick because this nerd had saved his life during the Vietnam War. With his tambourine and an autographed photo of Hugh Downs, Rick arrives at the party and levels it (his party games and a rendition of the national anthem become new forms of torture for the others). Then, Rick reveals that the brother and sister-in-law he lived with have abandoned him, so now Rick stays with Willum and does not want to leave. This gadfly continues to top himself as Willum’s b’te noire. Act II centers on Willum’s moral dilemma as he wrestles whether to keep his word to the man who saved his life in ‘Nam, or side with his friends, who scheme on how to get rid of Rick. Of all the plays staged by Theatre Palisades this year, ‘The Nerd’ may be the most perfectly cast. Di Paolo, as Willum, exudes a likeable, everyman quality evoking a milder version of ‘Funny People’ star Seth Rogen. And one’s acceptance of Mello’s energetic performance may ride on your tolerance level for classic (yet polarizing) Jerry Lewis’ man-child character, which people either love or find grating (this reporter is a Lewis fan). Richard Little and Hunter, as the Waldgraves, play the uptight, important people Willum must impress, and Dylan La Rocque, their spoiled brat, Thor (‘A poster child for Planned Parenthood,’ Axel cracks). This trio is definitely a play highlight, particularly Little’s put-upon Warnock Waldgrave. Hunter delivers her trademark high-strung comic acting as Celia Waldgrave, a shrill, nervous wreck. ‘The Nerd’ is a surprisingly physical play. In the course of telling this story, the nimble actors”all of them, really” go through enough physical machinations to audition for KOOZA Cirque du Soleil. The comedy in Shue’s piece can get a bit too silly in places, but overall, it entertains. The play is well directed by Harris, with a simple yet solid-looking set. Kudos to the costumers and the technicians behind the scenes. Judging by the seat-count post-intermission and some comments overheard, not everyone cared for the acerbic characters or the ‘existentialist’ humor. True, ‘Nerd’ has a mean streak running through it, or at least some subversive strains, that may not be fun for the whole family (some dirty throwaway lines, but nothing excessive). This writer, however, commends Theatre Palisades for experimenting with different styles, offering less conventional works, and taking risks. A community theater can continue to play it safe by leaning on oft-staged, Neil Simon crowd-pleasers, or can mix it up and introduce Palisadians to playwrights and pieces not as familiar. This is also a rare opportunity to see a staged play written by Shue, who died in his prime and left only two major works behind. Theatre Palisades’ 2010 season roster will include Michael Clooney’s ‘Cash on Delivery’ and ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ based on a Shirley Jackson novel (in addition to more-familiar productions such as Simon’s ‘Chapter Two’ and David Auburn’s ‘Proof’). By crossing into trickier terrain, Theatre Palisades is challenging itself and challenging us, and the company should be supported for it. So leave your comfort zone at home and pay this ‘Nerd’ a visit. ‘The Nerd’ will play Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, through October 11. Tickets: Friday and Sunday, adults, $16; seniors and students, $14; Saturday, $18; seniors and students, $16. Contact: (310) 454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
