Written, directed and performed by Josh Cary and
Patrick Gallo
Arlin Seville Productions
Rose's Turn
55 Grove St. (366-5438), Thurs. Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
NADA, 167 Ludlow St. (420-1466) Mon-Wed. Nov. 2-4, 9-11 at 8 p.m.
Non-union production
Review by James A. Lopata
Vladimir and Estragon move over. Josh Cary and Patrick
Gallo have arrived with their own vaudeville schtick and they
are waiting too. Not for Godot, but for "the call."
And you all know what happens when you get "the call."
You don't? Well, not to worry, the answer lies in the notebook.
When you get "the call" you have to leave. Yes, leave
everything, including your loved ones. But when you get "the
call," it's better than sex. It is even better than when
you race to the subway and the train doors are open, ready for you.
"The call" has not arrived. So for a little
over an hour, they wait -- Josh playing the straight-man Abbot
to Patrick's clueless Costello.
What follows is a series of comic routines that develop
a touching relationship between two listless, but lovable guys.
In one scene, they imagine how performing groups
got together. Did Simon approach Garfunkel or vice versa? They
play out both scenarios. In one, Paul asks Art if he can play
any instruments. No. Can he write music? No. Okay. Can he grow
a big blond Afro? Yes. Great. They seem to breathe as one unit
when they spontaneously break into a duet of "The Sounds
of Silence." The silence shapes the laugh and Patrick and
Josh are masters at shaping the silence. It is magical.
The two have clear roots in stand-up comedy and improv.
The jokes never fall flat, and their timing is impeccable. But this work soars beyond humor. These characters
share a deep affection for each other. "If the call comes
for me," one admits in a moment of revelation, "I'm
taking you with me."
With just a table, two chairs, a few props and the
phone as the sacred, central object of the action, the set is
grounded in the mundane, while never providing a specific location
-- a sort of existentialism of the everyday. Comedic talent with depth such as this rarely comes
along. Only ten fortunate people showed up to witness this talented
duo at work on the night reviewed
Some of the material is uneven. An outside directorial
eye would help the static staging and a dramaturg could fine-tune the script. But overall it is an outstanding evening for
up and coming talent.
For everyone who ever wanted Waiting for Godot to
have a 'real' ending, rest assured. In Who Is That Guy?, "the
call" comes. But it doesn't have the conclusion you might
expect.
So get out to see this extraordinary duo. Fill those
seats. Attention must be paid!
(Brian Tucker opened the evening with a brief comedy
routine. His innocent playfulness set a charming tone for the
play that followed.)
Writing 2
Acting 2
Directing 1
Set 1
Lighting 1
Costumes 1