BWW Reviews: A MAP OF VIRTUE at Thinking Cap Theatre

Imagination with a Capital WOW!

Go see a A MAP OF VIRTUE at Thinking Cap Theatre. I double, no, triple dare you. You may have read somewhere that it's a confusing piece. Pah! Don't believe it. It's a simple tale of the adventures of a little statue of a little bird. Told with imagination. Vast, vast imagination. In the writing, in the acting, the direction, the staging, the set, the sound, the costumes, hell, even the Alsation Bacon and Onion Tart (Tarte Flambée) sold in the lobby snack bar is imaginary.

But what's not imaginary is the pleasure watching the ninety minute performance. A brief plot outline? Life is too short. Just take it from me that a guy and a girl meet in a café, a statue comes to life, sort of, a headmaster diddles little boys, a painting is slashed, people are kidnapped, guns are waved, things are burned and of course some cute little songs are played on a cute little ukelele by a lanky monster who, as the occasion demands, dons a horrifying bird mask.

You want tension? This piece is wound so tight it damn near twangs. Erin Courtney wrote A MAP OF VIRTUE during a silent play writing retreat. Not to be a smart ass, but my guess is that the retreat was not only silent, but held in a lightless brick lined cell, no food but bread crumbs and no water but that which seeped through the walls. Ideas breed. Thank you, Erin.

It's a trellised set, but no climbing roses; the walls, the ceiling, the furniture, all trellis, seemingly unpainted.

The audience is seated east and west of the north south playing area. A stepladder for the statue, a strong, interior cabin wall on the north end, and a projection screen, hidden by trellis work on the south end. When the actors are in front of the screen, their larger than life black and white images are shown behind them. A slightly raised, small playing area center stage.

This is a piece of almost unbearable silences. And then a bird will sing. Wood will creak. Scaredy cats beware.

What about the cast? Well, they're just what they should be. A MAP OF VIRTUE is a wildly experimental piece but the actors are so grounded that nothing is abnormal. This is real life, right before us, even the all singing, all dancing, all talking little bird statue.

Jovon Jacobs is the bird statue incarnate, and Casey Dressler, with swallow crested chest, is Sarah, the girl. Tom Anello is Mark the guy who meets Sarah and has the little bird statue in his pocket while Scott Douglas Wilson Is Nate, Sarah's I'll go along even though you don't love me, husband. Victor, Mark's savior boyfriend is played by Alex Alvarez and Niki Fridh and Noah Levine play June and Ray, people you don't ever want to meet. Not ever.

The set design is by Alyiece Moretto with the sound by David Hart and Nicole Stodard. The Terzanelle music composition is by Casey Dressler and the lighting by Eric Nelson.

Nicole Stodard not only directed flawlessly but had the vision to present A MAP OF VIRTUE.

A MAP OF VIRTUE runs through October 18 at Thinking Cap Theatre at The Vanguard, 1501 S. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale. 813-220-1546 http://www.thinkingcaptheatre.com

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