performance arts

Phoenix and B&B score big
by LISA GAUTHIER

Jan 9, 2008
End Days
Phoenix Theatre
Directed by Bryan Fonseca
Through Feb. 3

End Days may be about a weirdly dysfunctional family that finds its soul by waiting for the Apocalypse together, but this play, part of a rolling world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre, has heart: It’s engaging, funny as hell and even touching.

Sylvia, the mom, is best buds with Jesus. He brings her coffee while she holds prayer vigils outside XXX stores. Arthur, the dad, has survivor’s guilt and can’t get out of his bathrobe: He escaped Sept. 11 with his life while all his co-workers died. Rachel, their daughter, has adopted a Goth lifestyle in order to keep people away: “I hate happy,” she says. Nelson, a new kid in Rachel’s class who dresses like Elvis, ambushes the family with pure optimism, helping the healing to begin.

The dialogue is snappy and the characters well-formed. The cast, under Bryan Fonseca’s direction, is excellent. Nelson, played by Matthew Van Oss, is a sweet, lovable geek of a teen who needs index cards to prompt him into proper conversation and combines singing the Torah with Elvis’ pelvis. Arthur, played by Bill Simmons, is the picture of detached depression: Face sprawled on the table in sleep, he can’t be roused to buy food for his family, and has no idea what cereal his 16-year-old daughter ever ate. Sylvia, played by Martha Jacobs, is disturbed in her own way: Her fanaticism is frantic and frightening to her family. Conversely, Matthew Roland as Jesus, and later as Steven Hawking, Rachel’s own delusion, is the picture of serenity, and he does a great impression of Hawking. Finally, Phebe Taylor as Rachel captures the grit of a confused teen just trying to make sense of her family, her upbringing and the world.

An exceptional show, End Days continues through Feb. 3 at the Phoenix, 749 N. Park Ave. Tickets are $25, or $15 for those ages 24 and under. Call 317-635-PLAY or go to www.phoenixtheatre.org.