Reviews

The Downward Smile: There’s nothing wrong with laughing at the expense of the ’90s shock-rock music scene

By Kristin Bivins

“If I was cool in high school, this show wouldn’t exist today,” says playwright and actor Mark Soloff, regarding his new musical comedy show, “The Downward Smile.” The type of music featured in “The Downward Smile” is what Soloff said he listened to in his “angsty years.”

Showing at Donny’s Skybox, “The Downward Smile” centers around the rock music scene, following orphan turned German turned rock band front man Chockula Ford. When Ford marries his German sister, Spaetzle, (he was adopted by her parents) he takes her to Christian rock star Gabriel Lovejoy’s concert. That’s exactly when the play kicks into high gear.

Ford’s life quickly turns to shambles, and soon after, he is recruited to take the place of an overdosed rock star of a German metal band.

After becoming a rock star, Ford meets Charles Monroe, who coincidentally looks a lot like Marilyn Manson. With a white painted face, long black hair and an interesting fur coat, Monroe tells Ford he will make him his “dark apprentice.” The audience watches as Ford turns from a sweet, loving guy into a man with only hate in his heart.

In the meantime, Lovejoy and his (maybe not complete) Jesus-freak attitude challenges Ford’s newly acquired hateful ways. There is a constant rivalry between the two men throughout the show, which is where most of the laughs originate.

With such songs as “Sexual Deviance” and the “Shock Song,” the show brings a whole new world of lyrics to metal songs. If all metal contained lyrics like the ones featured in this show, maybe I’d actually listen to it.

For any readers who are offended easily, I advise you to take caution when deciding whether to see “The Downward Smile.” If you can’t withstand some awkward sexual movements and a few profane words now and then, you may want to go see something a little less over the top. But as we all know, sex and drugs are sometimes a major part of rock and roll. And “The Downward Smile” definitely gives us a comedic (though probably not far from truthful) look at the ways of the rock stars, which include sex, profanity and an occasional benefit concert for some organization with a terribly long acronym.

Perhaps the best part of the show, for me, was seeing how much fun the actors were having on stage. Whether they were rocking out or attending “American Idol” season 25, the actors just seemed to enjoy what they were doing. When actors can’t hide how much they love what they are doing, it’s hard not to enjoy watching them. “The Downward Smile” is definitely no frown in my book.

If you are interested in seeing the play for yourself, it is showing on Fridays at 9 p.m. through Oct. 10 at Donny’s Skybox, 1608 N. Wells. Admission is $10, or $8 for students. For more information. call (312) 337-3992.

 

Comedy, believeable politics and plenty of plot twists: Timeline Theatre’s production of “Weekend” has it all

By Sara Thompto

With the super-hyped presidential elections fast approaching, there is no production that would be better to go see than “Weekend.”

“Weekend” has an enticing plot, filled with more than one deceiving twist between numerous characters. Written by Gore Vidal, this play took almost 40 years to make its way to Chicago for its debut production at the Timeline Theatre Company (615 W. Wellington Ave.).

Quaint, yet lively, the Timeline Theatre has the sound of gentle conversation and soft jazz music up until when the lights dim, at which point the audience goes silent.

The play takes place during the 1968 presidential campaign. A moderately conservative senator seeks a nomination for the spot on the Republican ballot as the next presidential candidate.

All is going well with the campaign until the senator’s son comes home from Europe with a sudden announcement that is, well, shocking. This news sends the family into a tailspin, and soon there are so many plots formed that it keeps viewers guessing until the very end as to what will happen next.

“Weekend,” has a script that, from beginning to end, touches on a variety of pertinent topics such as race, religion, abortion, nationalism, war and even the personal lives of politicians and how they are scrutinized under the public’s watchful eye.

The plotline moves at just the right speed to keep viewers interested, and it incorporates just enough slapstick comedy mixed with playful side-jabbing remarks to leave it feeling light-hearted and fun. Adding to the interest of the plot, the characters are believable, charming, and actually leave you wanting to meet them in person, if only they were real. The acting is incredible.

In front, the set design inspires a feeling of serenity and safety; two things politics don’t exactly inspire these days. This brings the audience back to a time when perhaps politics had a different meaning, and simply completes the overall brilliance of this production.

The only drawback of this play is that seating is limited, so if a hilarious comedy mixed with political dramatics sounds appealing — get tickets immediately.

Tickets are available through Oct. 12 for performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For more information on “Weekend” or other Timeline Theatre Company productions, visit timelinetheatre.com or call 773-281-8463.

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