CARNAGE, A COMEDY
It may have been written in 1987, but the play, Carnage, A Comedy, written by Adam Simon and Tim Robbins, still strikes a note in today’s social conscience. In its revival at the Ivy Substation in Culver City, it seems we haven’t come far in exposing the insincerity behind blind faith.
In the opening, we find Televangelist Cotton Slocum (superbly performed by V.J. Foster) instructing his follower Tack (Justin Zsebe) in the ways of mesmerizing his flock. Since he is planning to go on his annual Las Vegas sojourn, he needs someone to take his place while he is away from God’s Happy Acres Church and Amusement Park. In this scene, the hypocrisy of such a character is completely unveiled.
As head of God’s Happy Acres, Slocum is assisted by his wife Tipper (perfectly played by Donna Jo Thornsdale), shades of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, his Assistant Jerry (Steven M. Porter), Pristeena (Lindsley Allen) and Opie (Scott Harris) as well as Foo Foo (a rabbit hand puppet also played by Zsebe). But before Slocum can get away for his trip, God’s Happy Acre befalls an unexpected incident, an explosion that changes everything. When Slocum comes to from the blast and finds no one, around, he surmises that everyone has gone to Heaven and that he, alone, was left behind. How could this be for a man who gave his life for God?
An excellent satire splendidly performed by the cast from The Actors’ Gang and directed by Beth F. Miles, it includes Pierre Adeli, Stephanie Carrie, Cameron Dye, Sandro Mastrobuono, Laurent Oppelt and Chris Schultz. There is music performed by Cameron Dye, Sandro Mastrobuono and Chris Schultz that adds to the pace of the production; original songs by Keefus Ciancia and David Robbins with lyrics by Pierre Adeli and Tim Robbins. Continues through March 29.
Ivy Substation
9070 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA
Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.
Sun., 3 p.m.