No membership required

The Sandbox Theatre’s “Can You Spot Me?” explores all the humor of a gym, in an actual gym

By Ashley Hamilton

Theater buffs may feel slightly taken aback by “Can You Spot Me?,” the latest production to come out of the Sandbox Theater Company. With an offbeat concept (it’s site-specific theater, meaning it’s about a gym and takes place in an actual gym) and some over-the-top comedy, it’s not exactly Steppenwolf. But theater buff or not, this gym will give you plenty to laugh at.

Set in Lincoln Park’s Webster Fitness Club, the idea of this one-hour show is to explore the inner workings of a typical Chicago gym; albeit, one that’s much more funny than your own. If you arrive early (doors open one hour before show time), you’ll find yourself mingling with the workout-ready cast, who are decked out in gym gear and full of copious amounts of energy. As they welcome you into their gym, they may offer you a bottled water or a tour of the facilities — all while remaining in full character, of course.

More about these colorful characters are uncovered once the show begins. The loose storyline skips around the gym, skimming over each character’s life and leaving no gym stereotype untouched. There’s the flirt, the foreigner, the workaholic, the laid-back manager, the overzealous weight trainer, etc. Their stories unfold all over the tiny, no-frills gym, as the actors run from the front desk to the treadmills and ellipticals. And with the audience squeezed into two rows of seats in the back, you’ll find yourself in the middle of it all — so close you can touch the actors (incidentally, I did get accidentally kicked at one point; likely a front-row hazard).

Even though the storyline races around the gym, the main focus seems to be on nice guy Billy (Cliff Chamberlain), as his friend Brandy (Chelsea Cutler) and Phil the gym manager (Geoff Rice) push him to talk to his dream girl (Rani Waterman), a fellow gym member. Billy’s story brings about some of the show’s greatest laughs, including Phil’s very real threat to cut up his gym membership if he doesn’t make a move, and Billy’s nerve-filled efforts at making the actual move (“Can I buy you a Jamba Juice sometime?”).

The rest of the gym members seem to make only brief appearances, rushing in and out of the gym door, just to come back minutes later as another character. Highlights of these revolving-door personalities are the overzealous weight trainer who recruits other members to spot him in a painful lift, the timid girl who’s overwhelmed by the complicated (and quite personal) membership contract, and the out-of-towner, terrified by the intense guy who pushes her to power-up her elliptical workout (“Level six will change your life!”). On top of briefing these characters, “Can You Spot Me?” also plays out some real life gym situations, such as alarmingly loud iPods and overbearing personal trainers.

At points, the acting and story seemed so silly and over the top, I felt more like I was at an improv show than a scripted play; but at other points, I found myself getting so sucked into the characters’ gym-life predicaments, it was as if I was watching something I wasn’t supposed to be watching — like I was spying on people at my own gym (an easy thing to feel, considering the actors are working out a mere arm stretch away).

As the story jumps from character to character, eliptical to treadmill, it all comes together in the end, climaxing with a big showdown between rude guy Biff and nice guy Billy. The showdown is a result of no one wanting to lend Biff a buck, which prompts the moral of it all: to think about the people you see every day and never bother to talk to or help out.

Morals and comedy aside, probably the best part of “Can You Spot Me?” is watching the faces of people passing by outside this real-life gym. Their expressions range from amused to confused as they glimpse through the windows to see “gym members” zipping around the room, tossing around Gatorades and dancing (yes, dancing) amongst the cardio machines.

But even those inside the four walls of this show will find themselves watching something that’s entirely different and entertaining. No, it’s not Steppenwolf. But with a quirky cast, clever writing and a unique concept, this show is in a league of its own.

“Can You Spot Me?” runs through June 25 at the Webster Fitness Club, Saturdays and Sundays at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.); suggested donation of $15. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 773-456-2329 or e-mailing Justin@sandboxtheatreproject.org.

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