BWW Reviews: Thoughtful Performances from Azeotrope's GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES

It's a tough thing to follow up such a widely acclaimed show as Azeotrope's offering of "Jesus Hopped the A Train" last season. Especially when you only put up one show a season. And while their current production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" may not be as engaging of a script, the cast and crew still manage to show off what solid professionals can do.

It's not a show for the squeamish as we follow through the lives of childhood friends Doug and Kayleen (Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Amanda Zarr) as they explore their relationship from youthful curiosity through the unrequited love of adulthood. And this history is examined through the many bumps and bruises these two inflict on themselves over time. But are they accident prone, dangerous thrill seekers or obsessed with the feelings of exuberance that their injuries bring them? Well, that's the question as we hop back and forth in their timeline to get glimpses into the repeated construction and destruction of their connection.

As I mentioned, Rajiv Joseph's play leaves a little to be desired in the storytelling department especially as I felt a bit let down by the ending. But the rich characters that he's created make the journey worthwhile. And the direction from Desdemona Chiang only serves to intensify that richness as her in your face staging and scene and costume changes amp up the tension and morbid desire to see what these two do next to themselves and each other.

This two-person cast couldn't be more superb as they immerse themselves into the lives of these two damaged individuals. Both Sloniker and Zarr show incredible range and investment as the two go from 8 to 38 years old and as their need for harm goes from the innocent to the life threatening. Sloniker once again shows himself to be a very layered and complex actor as he portrays Doug with a good-guy sweetness while keeping him very flawed and somewhat dangerous. And Zarr manages a subtle and very introspective performance making her outbursts all the more powerful. And her monologue at Doug's bedside is painful and heartbreaking (in a good way).

Once again (as with the aforementioned "Jesus Hopped the A Train") I have to commend the brilliantly effective and multifaceted set design from Deanna Zibello. She manages to make a very simple and sparse set look stunningly intricate. But that's the wonderful thing about companies such as Azeotrope. With the investment of talent they have at their disposal they always manage to impress with what they can accomplish. They may be small, but they're mighty. So prep your iodine and bandages for another solid hit from Azeotrope.

"Gruesome Playground Injuries" from Azeotrope performs at The Little Theatre on CapitAl Hill through August 11th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.azotheatre.org.

Photo credit: Mike Hipple

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