Dead Letter Office now at the Chicago DCA Storefront Theater

Dog & Pony Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago DCA Theater, presents the world premiere of Dead Letter Office.  Conceived by Ben Viccellio and written by Chicago-based playwright, Phillip Dawkins, Dead Letter Office examines how humanity can still can intertwine and affect one another even in this cold, impersonal digital age.  Directed by DieteRich Gray, Dead Letter Office runs now through July 18, 2010 at the Chicago DCA's Storefront Theater

For those of you who regularly read my reviews, you know that I am very supportive of new works.  Encouraging the production of new works is the only way to guarantee a sustainable, legitimate theatre culture for the next generation.  Unfortunately, there was very little I could support about this particular production. 

The plot to Dead Letter Office was convoluted. The ending, in an effort to turn a thoughtful relationship piece into a suspenseful thriller, just came off as childish.  I would call the characters Dickensian, except for the fact that Dickens wrote them better... about one hundred and forty years earlier. 

And who puts up a Christmas show in the middle of June?

The acting was forced to the point that I actually winced.  Nevertheless, to give the actors some credit, they didn't have much to play with.  The standout of the cast was John Fenner Mays.  His performance as the lead character, Christian, leant the show a gravitas and thoughtfulness that would have been sorely absent. 

I thought DieteRich Gray did an admirable job in trying to protect a weak script.  There's an old saying in revue theatre about protecting your weakest scenes: bury them.  Bury those scenes deep, preferably between two strong ones in the hopes that the bookended energy helps the audience to forget the first-rate clunker on your hands.  Gray surrounded Dead Letter Office with incredible production value.  There was an incredible set, interesting lighting and creative sound design.  He also did an artful job of staging the show in the round. This is a fete within and of itself, especially when pulled off successfully like Gray did.  Unfortunately, none of this flash and dash was enough to make me forget that at the end of the day, I was leaving the theatre incredibly unsatisfied.

Dead Letter Office runs now through July 18 at the Chicago DCA's Storefront Theater on 66 E. Randolph Street.