The dynamic Rogue Theater Festival celebrated its fourth year with a marathon evening of sketch comedy at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village; light-hearted and thought-provoking entertainment perfectly suited to a night out on the town.
The festival’s opening volley, on June 30, was a high-contrast pairing: “A Modern Robin Hood” or some shit like that, by Monte D. Montecleagre, and “Black Box Sandbox,” by John Debenedetto. Montecleagre’s writing is sharp, concise, and bold. “A Modern Robin Hood” demands a great deal from both performers and audience. The production delivered, in spades, the spirit of true madness, and the audience responded in kind. Jacob Pfeiffer’s high energy pedal-to-the floor direction was seamless. Elizabeth Maille and Jesse Lehman, the fearless and exceptionally poised actors, were in perfect sync, performing an in-your-face, confrontational, style of comedy that might have been written by Aristophanes. “A Modern Robin Hood” is a highly literate theatrical experience. More, please, from Monte D. Montecleagre: the gap left by Charles Ludlam’s absence needs to be filled.
Advance word on “Black Box Sandbox” was that it would feature handsome young men in swimsuits, and the visuals did not disappoint. Debenedetto’s writing skillfully intertwines a play-within-a-play. surprise twists, turns, reversals, and revelations worthy of a Victor Hugo melodrama, are all embedded in a provocative, other-worldly, Joe Orton/Christopher Durang vibe. Directed by the playwright, the tightly-knit ensemble cast had a field day with the snappy dialogue, incisively etching their distinctive characterizations, each with their own special comic “moment.”
Sebastian Hagelstein was well cast as The First Man, the highest responsibility role. Credible and sympathetic, with comic timing rooted in character, he carried the show’s complex exposition with apparent ease. Hagelstein found an especially hilarious moment in his final exit when, at the end of a diatribe about having to wear a Speedo, he snapped the elastics of his skimpy bathing suit against his derriere and brought down the house. Swarthy Mediterranean good looks and a brooding stage presence distinguished Alexander Zuccaro as The Second Man, while his firmly-grounded and finely detailed characterization provided a solid, reality-based, counterpoint to the high-flung and exaggerated antics surrounding him. Zuccaro’s breakout moment was his ironic disco dance parody, a high point of the evening’s entertainment. Giogio-Jozef Varipapa as The Third Man excelled as the sniveling, naïve, junior member of the play-within-a-play’s cast. The running gag of his sobbing–a very fine exercise in vocal control-was funnier with each repeat. William Buehler was charming, eloquent, and sympathetic. The Fourth Man was the only fully clothed cast member, which perfectly set up the gag of “the big reveal” when he whipped his shirt off.
These presentations were altogether a fine way to open a festival, and so, hats off to The Rogue Theater Festival for discerning artistic direction and clear-eyed productions. This group is more than worthy of support, and I wish them continued and long-lasting success. The Rogue Theater Festival took place from June 30th through July 3rd at the Players Theatre on 115 MacDougal Street.: Allison Hohman is Founder and Artistic Director.