SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO
By David Mamet
Directed by Mike Burdick
WHEN: July 11-July 20, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM; Sundays 2 PM
WHERE: Edison Valley Playhouse 2196 Oak Tree Road Edison, NJ
TICKETS: $20 and can be purchased by calling 908.755.4654 or on-line at www.ticketleap.com.
This show contains extremely mature content and adult themes and is not recommended for children.
Sexual Perversity in Chicago by David Mamet examines the sex lives of two men and two women. The play is filled with regional jargon that reflects the working-class language of Chicago. The characters' relationships become hindered by the caustic nature of their words, as much of the dialogue includes insults and arguments. The play presents "intimate relationships [as] minefields of buried fears and misunderstandings. (Above left: Matthew Rae, who plays Danny (left) and Brian Remo who plays Bernard(right) check check out the women of Chicago.)
The Obie award-winning Sexual Perversity in Chicago "takes funny and painful digs at the fantasies and distances of the contemporary sexual game," according to The New York Times. Two male office workers, Danny and Bernie, are out to meet the hottest women Chicago has to offer. Danny meets Deborah in a library and soon they are lovers as well as roommates. The other couple, Bernie and Joan, seem to have the politics of sex down pat but are as confused as their more naive counterparts. After much comic drama, the two men end as they started, talking a good game in the local bar.
The actors in the show are having a fun journey with the story lines and the rhythm of the dialogue. Brian Remo (of North Plainfield) who plays Bernard says, "Tackling Mamet has been such a rush... But to have the experience infused with Mike Burdick's passion for the work, the process and the craft has been fulfilling beyond compare. Couple that with the humbling honor of working alongside such immense talent has made this experience immensely gratifying.”
Matt Rae (of Pompton Plains) who plays Danny states, “Working in this show has been an emotional learning experience from the beginning; both as an actor and as a person and I could not be more grateful for it and for the chance to work side by side this phenomenal cast and director.”
Both Kristina Hernandez (of Westfield) who plays Joan, and Morgan Vasquez (of Parsippany) who plays Deborah are both enjoying this experience as well. Hernandez remarks, “Collaborating with this talented cast and gifted director has been a rewarding experience. Bringing this show to life has been a blast!” Vasquez, who plays Deborah, comments, “ It’s already been amazing to work with this material, but to have a director and cast that is so devoted makes the whole process better, and in turn, makes the show better. Mamet gives you a chance to really be an actor, to make the most of who you are and the text he’s giving you.”
Although Sexual Perversity deals with adult issues and contains adult language, director Mike Burdick (of Linden) explains, “David Mamet is so more than f-bombs and realistic dialogue. Its defiance … its performance on the edge … it is true rock-and-roll theatre. But without the right performers, it’s just noise. In this Fearless production marking the 40th Anniversary of Sexual Perversity, I find myself completely humbled by this elite cast, who are not only as talented as the material they are exploring, but who choose to attack it with an unrelenting hunger for their craft. If you think you’ve seen Mamet, think again!”
The audience will also be treated to a curtain warmer called Gravediggers, which stars Shiva Kiani of Newark and Jill Mesonas of North Edison.
About Fearless Productions
FEARLESS PRODUCTIONS... strives to create entertaining theatrical productions that walk on the very edge of the edge, leap enthusiastically with our hearts on our sleeves, and dare to be daring. We recognize that the responsibility of true art is to firmly grasp the attention of our audience for as long as we are asking for it. We accept this challenge with the courage that only comes with doing exactly what we feel we were born to do... Simply put... Our NAME is our MISSION STATEMENT...For more information about FEARLESS PRODUCTIONS visit our website at www.fearlessprod.com
