if you giggled with consciousness at the sight of those characters, then you definately'll love this play despite its length. Chris Leher
The proposition that nerd way of life is rarely mainstream, that nerds wouldn't have ample turf already (i'm looking at you, the total web, even the darkish ingredients I can't see)—makes me groan. probably the most time-honored sort of leisure these days is observing other americans play video games. comedian-cons are line-round-the-block consumerist parades. Superhero movies dominate the marketplace. Nerd subculture has its own money now. They bought their revenge. Pretending like nerds are still the bullied child of time-honored tradition will now not fly.
Puny humans, written by using Bret Fetzer and Keiko eco-friendly, directed via Gavin Reub, and now working at Annex Theatre via can also 14 delightfully addresses loads of those curmudgeonly considerations within the first few moments of the play. The critique comes from the perspective of a comic book dealer attending the fictional Queen metropolis comic-con: "products, items, items!" he shouts in amazement, after recalling the underground days in San Diego, the place Ray Bradbury was regarded a hero.
From there, considered one of about eight intersecting narratives involving 13 characters unfolds. they are all fairly compelling. it be kind of like a stage version of Robert Altman's Nashville however for nerds and not as bizarre.
The narratives involve more than a few issues, revealing the human drama humming under the alien sheen of business comic-cons: a young lady considers abortion, a mom struggles with caring for her on-the-spectrum newborn, a romance blooms between a guy who clothes like Darth Vader and a woman who attire like Sailor Moon, an up-and-coming reviewer advocating for gender equity in the gaming world deals with Twitter trolls for the primary time, a younger sci-fi actor tries to use his newfound vigour to get laid whereas an getting old actor tries to come to terms with the conclusion of her profession, two nerd chums develop aside—and possibly a pair more I forgot to write down down.
Zenaida Smith as Sam (left) and Te Yelland as Hazel (correct), bein' buds. throughout the lives of those characters and a couple of others, this play confronts lots of gender equity concerns within the nerd world with humor, compassion, and best a little cheese. Chris Leher
The performances were serviceable and showcased a rainbow of geekdome. Te Yelland changed into a stand-out. She plays an frequently quiet, contemplative aspiring author named Hazel, who's not into all the hubbub of the comedian-con. She's the one figuring out whether or now not she desires to have a baby. or not it's challenging to play an interesting introverted persona—the impulse to over-brood commonly wins out— however Yelland's refined gestures and simple humor drew me in.
David Rollison's portrayal of Gus became first rate, however that his performance was pretty much a protracted-form, high-pitched Paul Giamatti impression. Gus is an insufferable and finger-wagging nerd's nerd who dresses up because the Joker. In an argument with Sam (the up-and-coming online game reviewer played through Zenaida Smith) he articulates the frustration of the Gamergate faction (even though he hasn't participated in any trolling) from a plausible region of ardour and pain. you could basically see the vulnerability coursing via his tirade as he concerns that feminists are bullying him out of his own fortress of solitude.
The low-stage however consistent funny story of everyone donning lanyards all of the time is truly humorous. Chris Leher
whereas the performances have been decent—i'd not in any respect be stunned to stumble upon any of those americans at the Raygun Lounge—the play felt truly loooooooooong in the 2d act. together with a short intermission, the play started at 7:forty five pm and ended at 10:10 pm. For a self-involved comedy a few sub-culture it really is no longer in reality a sub-lifestyle, two hours and some exchange is just a little of an ask, however the reason behind this sense of longness did not need to do with the play's runtime. It become, like any problems, structural: gazing a few narratives snap shut one at a time by means of separately over the route of a complete second act obtained tiresome. It turned into just like the conclusion of the ultimate Lord of the Rings movie, the place it changed into like come on—cannot every person just get in these boats and skedaddle to Valinor? I gotta pee! damn.
The bar at Annex did function sweet NES video games that you may play all through intermission/before the show. Duck Hunt changed into loaded up when I walked in, but there became also Ninja, The Legend of Zelda, TMNT, Skate or Die, suitable Gun, and a number of others—all classics. no one became even playing them! if you basically wish to make a night of it, get there early and drop into eight-bit nostalgia bliss.
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