Suburban Motel, by famed Canadian playwright George F. Walker, is a collection of six one-act plays linked by their setting-a suburban motel room. Each play features its own unique situation, generally associated with motels, which Walker exaggerates for dramatic effect. The plays are not only interconnected by setting, but often there are characters who cross over into other storylines as well. Campus theatre group Stage Blue’s recent production (which ingeniously turned Diablos coffeehouse at UC into a motel room) of Suburban Motel featured four of the six plays, and did a solid job of all four.
NOVEMBER 20
Problem Child
Directed by Erika Skirpan
Rating: VVV
Denise (Daina Valiulis) and RJ (Alex Corlazzoli) are a not-so-average couple with past problems of substance abuse and criminal activity who are looking to get their child back from social services. As they await the verdict on the guardianship of their child, they attempt to solidify their marriage so they can present normality during frequent visits from social worker Helen (Amy Lofting).
The performances for the most part came across as realistic and believable. The tension-filled dynamic between Denise and Helen, spoken and non-spoken, is most notable. In addition to this, Valiulis delivered, with ease, some of the most riveting monologues towards the end of the play. Amyas Au, who portrayed the drunken motel serviceman, deserves mention for his many comedic moments that lightened the mostly bleak tone of the play.
End of Civilization
Directed by Christopher Legacy
Rating: VVVv
Somewhat difficult to lock into at first, this play is not presented in chronological order. With the first scene at the end, the middle at the beginning, and the end in the middle, this play inherently forces the viewer to think. The principal themes featured are murder and missing persons, though it seems, through Walker’s character development, that he is more interested in showcasing the multi-faceted psyche of various characters.
Donnie (Julian Dezotti), a loud, brassy detective, with an off-the-wall personality provided for one of the strongest performances in the show. In contrast to Donnie’s relaxed, comic flair, his partner, expressionless Max (Alan Campbell) was enjoyable in his own way. Yet, scenes in which the suspect, Henry (Mark Paci), plays opposite Max, Henry took control over the audience’s attention and reactions. Lily (Rachel Bokhout), the wife of the accused, provided a believable portrayal of a frustrated wife, while Sandy (Jennifer McCarthy), the call-girl-next-door, supplied some of the funniest moments in the show.
NOVEMBER 21
Featuring Loretta
Directed by Morgan Norwich
Rating: VVVV
Lorrie (Lauren Moore), looking to make a large sum of money very fast, explores her options on how this sum can be attained with the least amount of skill required. While hovering between a relationship with potential boyfriend Dave (Lee Kim) and a business partnership with Michael (Alistair Scott), she befriends the chambermaid Sophie (Amy Smithers) and asks her advice.
Moore’s Lorrie, although quiet at times, was teeming with the authenticity of a discouraged girl trying to broaden her horizons with limited resources. Kim and Scott drew humour out of their symbiotic relationship, trying to beat the other out to win Lorrie’s approval. However, with perfect comedic timing, her amusing Russian accent and eccentric mannerisms, Smithers stole the show as the physics-studying chambermaid.
Risk Everything
Directed by Jesse Calvert
Rating: VVVv
Walker brings the cycle full-circle with the return of characters Denise, RJ, and Michael and their respective storylines, providing a fitting end to the series of plays. Carol (Catherine Dunn), Denise’s mother, is added to the mix as the melodramatic adrenaline-junkie with a gambling problem. The addition of Carol is at the core of the interwoven plotline tapestry of this final part of the series. Valiulis, Corlazzoli, and Scott effortlessly brought forward their characters from the previous plays into this one. Dunn’s Carol was quirky and sexy, a strong foil to Valiulis’ equally-compelling Denise.
