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'Duck
Hunter Shoots Angel' worth seeing |
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By JULIE McHALE
- TimeOut Theater Critic
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November 6,
2009 |
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Mitch Albom, a prolific writer, is
probably most known for his ‘Tuesdays with Morrie" and
"The Five People You Meet in Heaven," but there are
lesser works that are just as intriguing, as Albom typically
combines playful satire, fantasy and thought-provoking
challenges to his audience.
The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, under the able direction
of Steve Decker, is gifting theatergoers with a delightful
production of "Duck Hunter Shoots Angel," to be held
at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre with four successive performances:
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m.
Sunday.
It is Sandy’s story, a journalist who has sold his soul to the
lucrative tabloids. He is directed by his greedy boss Lenny to
drive to Alabama to investigate the supposed sighting of an
angel shot down by Duelle and Duane, two brothers who were out
trying to bag a couple of ducks. This familial pair provides
much of the somewhat hokey Southern humor. John Reilly and Rick
Anderson ace the roles.
Sandy, very well rendered by Jeff Porter, alternates monolog
with dramatic scenes. He is accompanied on his assignment by his
photographer Lenny, who is black. Some discussion of bigotry
comes up between them and with the duck hunters.
The ideas presented are provocative but never preachy, which is
refreshing. Other themes evident are human gullibility,
misguided dreams, and our search for connection and meaning.
The only two women in the play are Kansas, a teenager who works
at the gas and convenience stop, and The Woman, someone whom
Sandy was involved with when he was a journalist years ago in
Alabama.
A disembodied voice who interrogates Sandy, a loan officer and a
gator and human hybrid flesh out the cast. All are competent in
their roles, but Darrion Brown (Lenny) and Jennifer Rea (The
Woman) could put more energy into their lines. Rebecca Hahn’s
Southern accent is difficult to understand at times, and Chris
Doyle’s New York accent seems somewhat contrived.
The set design by Steve Decker and Katherine Jasinski is right
on and draws us in even before the play starts. I observed tech
rehearsal, so some of the sound and lighting cues were less than
perfect, but it was obvious this will be a show that will
fascinate.
From what I’ve seen of Decker’s work so far, he’s a
talented director whose finished products are worth our perusal.
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