KDHX Theatre Review - Sonnets for an Old Century

The Off Center Theatre Company
Reviewed by Neville Mur

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The Off Center Theatre Company presents the Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble in their initial offering of Jose Rivera's Sonnets for an Old Century in their inaugural season.

Rivera's works are rarely performed in St. Louis although he has won two Obie Awards for playwriting, and numerous other national awards for his lyrical writing style. He's probably best remembered for being nominated for an Academy Award in screenwriting for his, The Motorcycle Diaries based on Che Guevara's diary about a motorcycle trip which he and Alberto Granado had, and how it changed their lives.

This production mounted by co-directors Robert Mitchell and Margeau Baue Steinau opened on Thursday, December 7th [2006], at the century old former Panda Paint building at 2500 Ohio at Sidney in the Fox Park Neighborhood. This new theatrical facility proves all you really need are actors and space to put on thought provoking theatre.

Sonnets is presented in the form of individual monologues of 32 voices from the American landscape in which they tell their stories, spoken by each of the 15 actors of various ages, ethnic backgrounds and acting abilities, dressed in street clothes, doubling and tripling in the various roles. As each actor, “takes stage,” expressing their individual philosophy, angst and sometimes, mishegas (Yiddish for personal craziness) the rest of the ensemble moves in the form of a modern day Greek chorus, rarely speaking, but moving in harmony to what the monologist is saying and sometimes in complete counterpoint to what is being spoken. Often there is music or sound playing underneath to punctuate the moment sometimes there is silence to heighten the dramatic intent.

Mr. Mitchell and Ms Steinau keep the performance moving swiftly from moment-to-moment with each of the actors given a chance to shine. There were many individual stand-outs by Margeau Baue Steinau, Kirsten Wylder, Pamela Reckamp, Rusty Gunther, Robert Mitchell and Kimberly C. Mason.

Mr. Mitchell has the stage presence of a younger Morgan Freeman and is always fascinating to watch. Miss Mason who was last seen in Non-Prophet Theatre's Girl Gone continues to prove she's a fine young actress with wide range and great potential.

This happening, witnessed by this reviewer whose exposure to theatre spans over fifty years, seems to be, a combination of acting, mime, reminiscent of Marcel Marceau, and movement going back to Japanese Kabuki Theatre. Please be advised if you're looking for regular theatre as you've seen it in the past this may not be your cup of tea. But if you're looking for a theatrical occurrence that's different, unusual and unique, then this is something that certainly deserves your exposure.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 7:30 PM. For Reservations phone (314) 835-7415. The play runs through Sunday, December 17, 2006.

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