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True West, by Sam Shepard
topdog/underdog, by Suzan Lori Parks
 Let Brotherly Love Continue
American Classic Repertory
True West Synopsis: “Sam Shepard’s most produced play tells the
story of two brothers: Austin, an ambitious Hollywood
screenwriter working on a potential million-dollar deal and Lee,
a vagabond thief with a compulsion for six-packs and toasters.
Austin and Lee face off for control while venting demons from
their dysfunctional past.”
topdog/underdog Synopsis: “Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer
Prize-winning masterpiece explores two brothers: Lincoln,
ex-“3-card” player turned legitimate entertainer, and Booth, a
petty thief who wants to learn his brother’s game. Lincoln and
Booth struggle to make a new life that will finally lead them
out of poverty.”
Tonight I witnessed something quite innovative to come to
Chicago in a long time.
American Theater Company,
under the artistic direction of PJ Paparelli, and
Congo Square
Theatre Company,
under the artistic direction of Derrick Sanders, collaborated on
the first ever (in Chicago) dual company repertory. What’s
unique about this venture is that American Theater Company and
Congo Square Theatre Company will switch the casts after
February 5, 2009. This means that the original casts of both
productions will take on the other companies’ original play. To
be able to see an African-American theater company perform Sam Shepard’s
True West and for a White theater company to take on a
Suzan-Lori Park’s topdog/underdog will make for an interesting
night of collaborations and innovations.
American Theater Company opened with True West, featuring ATC
Ensemble members Matthew Brumlow, as Austin, and Suzanne Petri, as
Mom, Mike McNamara as Saul and Stephen Louis Grush as Lee.
While, Congo Square Theatre Company opened with topdog/underdog
by Suzan-Lori Parks, featuring ensemble members Anthony Irons as
Lincoln and Daniel Bryant as Booth.
 Both stories are similar, with two American playwrights, two
American directors, two American theater companies but one
timeless family classic. While told in two different styles,
they share
the themes of brotherhood, parental abandonment,
misunderstandings, betrayal, and disintegrated security.
It’s not a competition by any means, because both casts bring
such heavyweight performances that anyone in an awards organization
must take notice. However, the one to watch in the True West
cast is Brumlow (as Austin) - though his performance is a subtle
transformation, he delivers it perilously honest. Bryant
portrayal of
the maniacal, younger brother in topdog/underdog, is
searing, complicated and transfixing.
Audience 101: A word to the wise, these plays are not for the
faint of heart. It’s deconstructive with an arena-styled
theater space and no walls. Things began to fly, crumble and
burn (just the toast) as the drama unfolds. In these changing
times, with a newly elected president, do you think that it’s
time we see more collaborating cross-culturally? How has this
project changed the way you see theater? Will you venture to
see a production at American Theater Company after the
collaborating has ended? Or is it all a ploy to make more
money? Share your thoughts.
Sydney
Founder of
The Tofu
Chitlin' Circuit Theatre Company
SoulLadie@yahoo.com
True West and
topdog/underdog continues through March 8, 2009.
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