by Daniel Damiano
The Lex Theatre
(6760 Lexington Avenue, Hollywood 90038)
A production of Fresh Baked Theatre Company
Date of reviewed performance: January 22, 2010
Cast
Harrington - Will McFadden
Mrs. Harrington - Sigi-Blu Zweiban
Pearson - Matt Calloway
Berger - Dan Sykes
Derosa - Michael Hoag
Farber - Kimi Buser
Rivera - TJ Alvarado
Sedansky - Kevin Crawford
Albertson - Cody Goulder
Voice of Newscaster - Angele Dayer
Last night, the Fresh Baked Theatre Company debuted its sophomore production, Daniel Damiano's corporate tragicomedy "The Narrow World," to a packed house. The highly entertaining and well-acted show is an exciting crowd pleaser that left the audience discussing it long after the curtain call.
In this new work (a finalist for the 2008 Y.E.S. festival of new plays sponsored by the University of Kentucky), the actors are suited up as corporate drones - zombie "yes" men - in a day-after-tomorrow scenario that could occur anywhere and everywhere.
It begins with the eternally stalling Berger (Dan Sykes), an inept vice-president unaware that mutiny is on the rise. In a coup instigated by the elevation-seeking Harrington (Will McFadden), Berger is ousted from the company; his dismissal making it impossible to find another job in the dire economic times. After all, these are days in which the unemployed are cast-offs from society, "branded" by their loss of employment and sent to the park to eat twigs and fight for survival amongst the "likes of the lowly." Even in its absurdity, this notion has a sharp sting given our current unemployment numbers.
At first, all is well at The Company. Harrington wastes no time in shaping the office into an elite, productivity machine. Morale and profit are up. The corporate drones, thrilled by their newfound job stability, happily commit to their further zombification. But Harrington's desire for nonstop elevation cannot be satiated and quickly his rules and order melt into tyranny.
The owner of The Company, Albertson (splendidly portrayed by Cody Goulder), is a late-in-life adventurer who squandered his marriage in favor of building his company. He admires Harrington, who appears to be able to master corporate success and a healthy marriage. But Albertson doesn't know the whole story. In truth, there is something Harrington doesn't know either: employee Pearson (Matt Calloway) doesn't care for the new regime and is unwilling to trade family time for increased productivity. He sets a plan in motion to save his job while turning the corporate tides.
This is a story of two idealists, but their ideals could not be more different. Through a series of menacing standoffs, linguistic gymnastics and the despair that comes with trapped infinity, Mr. Damiano sets up a battle for dominance between matched corporate drones who would each be offended by such a definition. Director Daniel Armas stages it well, as a fast-paced verbal two-step through unrelenting, circuitous gamesmanship.
Will McFadden is fantastic as Harrington, whom he plays with a manic intensity that is as clever as it is amusing. Other standout performances include Matt Calloway, who is heartbreaking in his sensitivity as Pearson, Cody Goulder who looks likes he's having the time of his life playing Albertson and Dan Sykes whose impressive range bookends the show.
My best advice to you is get out and see this show. Don't miss your opportunity to experience this well-written, original play performed by such a talented cast. In these economic times, it's more than worth the price of admission.
The Narrow World runs through February 7th (Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm). Tickets are $15 General Admission ($13 for students and seniors). For reservations, please call 602-689-7714 or email freshbakedtheatrecompany@gmail.com.
Directed by Daniel Armas
Produced by Daniel Armas, Matt Calloway and Cody Goulder
Set Design and Props by Cody Goulder and Marisa Rojas
Set Design and Crew by Daniel Armas, Richard Armas, Vicki Armas, Cody Goulder and Liam Toner
Lighting Design by Matt Calloway
Sound Design and Recording by TJ Alvarado, Arik Garcia and Marisa Rojas
Publicity and Art Design by Matt Calloway and Heath Carroll
Light Board Operation by Marisa Rojas
Sound Board Operation by Adrian Lam
Flyer Design by Christian Fabricante and Brian Shun
The Narrow World:
