“True West,” a searing family drama written by Sam Shepard, is being presented by Roustabouts Theatre Co through April 13.
Roustabouts artistic director Phil Johnson directs the show examining creative male energy versus destructive male energy amid a crumbling American dream. The two opposing forces are epitomized by estranged brothers Austin (David McBean) and Lee (Jason Maddy) housesitting for their mother.
McBean depicts the screenwriter Austin as a man devoted first to his work and its success before family with a trembling, fastidious demeanor while hounded by his aggressive, macho older brother. Maddy brought an intensity to the struggling burglar Lee, using his height and stature to be a looming force disrupting the desert tranquility. He was intimidating as he flew into rages and even his calm exterior felt threatening until the two brother’s reversed course, Lee struggling to create while Austin went on a messy bender.
Voice actor Dave Rivas played a smarmy Hollywood producer promising commercial success if they can capture the west in a script. Only present for the final scene, Vicky Dawson still impressed with her nuanced and humorous depiction of Austin and Lee’s mother.
Riddled with dark humor and philosophizing about the west’s place in a modern America, Shepard’s script was nominated for a Pulitzer when it was released in 1983. It is the final entry in a trio of family dramas by Shepard, of which “Buried Child” won the Pulitzer Prize.
Its examination of men locked out of an American Dream and turning to violence instead remains a relevant theme today. Both men think a movie script could be the key to success, despite the fickle whims of the movie-going public. Their efforts to write and sell a script while undermining each other becomes a turning point in the conflict between the two brothers, with life-threatening consequences. Between the script and the acting chops of McBean and Maddy, the play felt like a high-octane thriller while taking place entirely inside a suburban kitchen.
Scenic designer Tony Cucuzzella built a kitchen of an average suburban home from 1989 with a desert landscape behind it. Sound designer Matt Lescault-Wood brought ever-present and maddening crickets between rock and country songs. Prop designer Justin Magallanes had his work cut out for him as the brothers break apart the kitchen, steal toasters and go through many, many beers. Pam Stompoly-Ericson was costume designer to mixed effect. Maddy’s wifebeater and jean jacket worked well, but his jeans were modern in their faded cut and his boots were not scuffed enough for a man living on the margins of society walking from place to place.
The lighting from Michelle Miles could also be stronger, with the play bizarrely well-lit for the opening scene which was supposed to take place with only candle light. The rest of the production team was made up of fight choreographer George Ye, tech director Nathan Waits, stage manager Josie Gerk, production manager Ted Lieb, dramaturg Tim Botsko, and intimacy coordinator D. Candis Paule.
“True West” runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 13 at Diversionary Theatre (4545 Park Blvd.). General admission tickets are $46 and student tickets are $11.
For tickets visit theroustabouts.org/truewesttix.
CAPTION: Take a visit to “True West” through April 13 at Roustabouts Theatre Co. (Photo credit: Facebook.com/theroustabouts.org/)
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