OMG, I got to see such a fun play last weekend! Doctor Cerberus by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is playing at South Coast Repertory through May 2, 2010. Check out some scenes from the play on SCR's YouTube channel!
From the pen of an inventive young playwright [Aguirre-Sacasa] (Whose fertile brain conjures up adventures for Marvel Comics' "Spiderman" in his off-time!) comes a grown-up play about a not-yet-grown-up character. Thirteen-year-old Franklin got grounded for ... well, almost burning down the house. But no problem, not when there's junk food and "Nightmare Theatre's" Doctor Cerberus -- Rising from the mist in top hat and cape. You'll cheer on our chubby anti-hero and his ingenious creator, recently lauded by Variety as an "intelligent, compassionate writer."
Doctor Cerberus is a fun, dark, coming-of-age comedy. It's set in 1983, when Ronald Reagan was still President, when AIDS was still a new disease that no one really understood, and when American families were far more afraid of nuclear war than we seem to be these days.
(l. to r.) Brett Ryback, Candy Buckley, Steven Culp and Jarrett Sleeper
in Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Doctor Cerberus,
at South Coast Repertory April 11 - May 2, 2010.
Photo by Henry DiRocco/SCR.
Although the play is titled for the horror movie host Doctor Cerberus that Franklin worships, it is really Franklin's coming-of-age story, about his dysfunctional family, and how Franklin follows his dream to be a writer in spite of everything.
And even as the play is actually about such deep, serious subjects, it is really very funny! I love all the characters. Brett Ryback as Franklin is lovable and earnest, I was rooting for him every moment of the play. Candy Buckley as Franklin's mother steals the show with her matter-of-fact melodramatics, she is hilarious! Steven Culp is Franklin's dad, straight forward and trying his best to do what he thinks is right for his son. Jarrett Sleeper is Franklin's older brother who loves nothing more than to bully Franklin.
And Jamison Jones is the title character, Doctor Cerberus, plus a variety of other characters. His largest role comes in the middle of the play as Franklin's uncle, who plays an important role in Franklin's life.
Doctor Cerberus is a hilariously off-kilter comedy, and a touching drama, definitely worth seeing! It contains profanity and sexuality, and is not appropriate for children. Do you dare watch Nightmare Theatre? Do you dare enter the lair of ...
Doctor Cerberus!
[Cue sudden, loud Thunder & blinding streaks of Lightening]
Jamison Jones in Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Doctor Cerberus,
at South Coast Repertory April 11 - May 2, 2010.
Photo by Henry DiRocco/SCR.
1 comment:
great commentary... perfectly articulates my experience of the play!
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