Nov. 23, 2011 - Issue #840: Battle the world
This Is What Happens Next
What? What happens next?
He's so candid and unassuming, in his fuzzy ear flap hat and bulky parka, that it's too easy to believe this is really him, MacIvor, and the things he's saying are absolutely true. But all too quickly it becomes apparent that he's already in character, close as that particular character may be to MacIvor himself. Indeed, the character's name is Me, and he tells us that he's trying to be more honest with himself. But he's also interested in storytelling, and his ultimate goal? A happy ending.
It would be exceedingly difficult to give an accurate synopsis of the show without going into a lengthy description of each character, their relationship to the others and reason for being there, not to mention exploring all the asides and metaphors that are also tossed into the mix. Suffice to say the collection of characters could be politely described as eclectic ("downright bizarre" also applies): along with Me there's Will, the smug embodiment of human will, a lawyer named Susan and her client, Warren, who is determined to get his stuff back from his ex, Mike, an off-the-wagon alcoholic, his alarmingly precocious son Kevin, and Kevin's transgendered, tarot-card reading uncle Aaron. As strange as this assortment of misfits may seem, rest assured it works somehow; indeed it works very, very well.
MacIvor is a master of the solo performance and he's in top form with This is What Happens Next. Deft and unforgiving with his words, he effortlessly bandies about theories of high philosophy alongside witty insights. His breathless, mesmerizing energy sets an urgent tone that persists for the duration of the show and makes it utterly compelling.
"It's all me on some level," MacIvor assures us, so this quest for happiness is surely personal; yet isn't this desire something we all crave? And when he serves up that promised happy ending, it's too easy to take it at face value, niggling doubts of authenticity aside. Because, as Will is so quick to point out, it could have been worse. Couldn't it?
Until Sun, Dec 4 (7:30 pm, Sunday matinees 2 pm)
Citadel Theatre, $20 – $61.75 vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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