Savage in Limbo
Savage in Limbo
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Simon Needham and Yvonne Suhor
Starring Christina Geraghty
Art’s sake Resident Ensemble
Art’s Sake Studio, Winter Park FL</strong>
There certainly are a lot of ways to be lonely. Denise Savage (Geraghty) is the classic spinster-in- training, either her looks or her Catholicism made her hold out while the rest of her school mates were sperm racing to family hood. One of these classmates drops into the bar tonight, it’s sloppy yet fertile Linda Rotunda (Joy Kigin.) While Denise held out for the bitter end, Linda went all in early, she’s getting action every night but no one will stick around to discuss Days of Our Lives or the Mets. But there’s a third option: hostile bartender (Eli Laureano) verbally assaults his patrons yet has a sweet spot for passed out April (Jennifer Jarackas.) He proposes tonight but they’ve already entered into the sort of silent detente most couples 30 years to achieve. It’s not just platonic; I think he’s proposed for the tax credits.
Like a good Adult Swim show, everyone is trapped in their own personal hell. They yell at each other, insult and incite hoping for a response, but no response will make the pain diminish. You feel sorry for Geraghty and might buy her a drink but any sort of back seat action is taken at your own emotional risk. The same isn’t true of Linda; she’s made herself disposable but doesn’t know how to retrace. A touch of humor comes from elfin Tony (Rowan Bousaid); he hides his loneliness by methodically screwing every woman he meets. He meets Linda more often than most, but treats her like a stick of gum. He’s quite good at it; his type reproduces more than most and will eventually take over the world. Laureano’s Murk comes across as a bit heavy handed, but Ms. Jarackas is a funny and believable drunk. She just needs a touch of Jim Beam behind her ear to complete the effect.
Art’s Sake has a reputation for doing the emotionally and physically brutal shows; this one is rough but not as rough as others I’ve seen here. “Savage” deconstructs the special place that the lonely live in: it’s a world of their making and while they only have to walk around the side of the bars to escape, they won’t for fear of losing something they can’t even describe having. It’s a good show, but don’t bring a first date. Actually, if you were about to break up you might consider making a special trip. Let these guys do your dirty work.
For more information on Art’s Sake Studios, check www.art-sake.com/
