Commentary
Photo: Joe Baker and Amanda Cooley Davis in Compass Theatre's "Killer Joe." (Courtesy of retrobang.com)
Compass Theatre, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of "Back Water Blues," is alight with "Killer Joe" in a walloping production under the direction of Ms. Lisa Berger. Producer Dale Morris followed his best instincts in choosing Ms. Berger as director. She has conspired with a creative team and actors to produce one of the most satisfying evenings of theatre currently available in San Diego.
One of Tracey Letts' ("August: Osage County") early plays, the story evolves around what Dr. Phil would easily award for best Texas Trailer Park Family in Dysfunction. As with most dramas set in incubator-like environments, "Killer Joe" explodes as the Smith family "shark" for life insurance rewards. This is a distinctly American play infused with many of the American family's institutionalized insanities such as talk to family member but stare at television when disaster hits.
There is an element of inevitability in "Killer Joe." This is not a case of second guessing the plot wherein one's viewing experience is self-defused, nor is it a viewing hobbled in anticipation of events, rather, the Compass production unfolds with a sense of the characters' destiny.
Don Pugh, Amanda Cooley Davis, Mike Sears, Judy Bauerlein-Mitchell and Joe Baker all turn in engrossing, at times, hypnotic performances.
Such performances are a rarity in smaller San Diego theatres (even some mid-size companies). The typical case in such theatres is a production in which one or two capable performances smother in the rest of an acting company's mediocrity. Berger and her actors have bear-hugged these desperate humans with violence, humor and grit.
Personally, of particular note is the young emerging actor Joe Baker. Mr. Baker appears in the role of Chris, a 20-something pot-smoking get-rich-easy kid frantically struggling to get quick cash to make good on a deal gone wrong. Having worked with Mr. Baker in a playwright-director association last year, I was taken by his ability "grow" a role with his earnestness to learn. In the nurturing hands of director Berger, they have created a vivid portrait of hoodwinked ambition dropping dead in the starting gates. A recent graduate from UCSD in engineering, it appears he has left Auto-Cad behind. One should keep an eye Mr. Baker as he drafts a promising career that is determinately not on autopilot.
When Michael McKeon's set design hit my eyes, I could practically smell the interior of the Smith family's trailer. And yes, there was a lot of trash ensconced in and around the mobile hovel's crevices. Such is the authenticity and detail in McKeon's design as with Lisa Burgess' costume designs. The costumes have the rarely seen "lived in" look, as if authored by the characters. Five minutes into act you can smell the characters.
Catch this show before the Compass cleans its stage for its next production.
"Killer Joe"
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 4 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through April 5
Where: Compass Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave., San Diego
Tickets: $20-23
Phone: (619) 688-9210
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