Gritty, profanity-laced, and unforgiving might be just the elixir audiences need these days and Gamm Theatre delivers via a gut-punch production of Between Riverside and Crazy. The dark comedy by Stephen Adly Guirgis and 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it should be. The reason is Guirgis’ motley crew of characters – Walter, grouchy ex-New York City police officer suing the department for discrimination and battling to keep his rent-controlled apartment; his ex-con son Junior; Junior’s manipulative girlfriend Lulu; his prison pal Oswaldo, an addict clinging to sobriety; Walter’s former partner Audrey; her fiance Dave, whose kindness has a price; and a grifter disguised as a spiritual guide.
Each character in Between Riverside and Crazy is wizened by life’s challenges in a way that leaves them seemingly crazy. Yet, spend time with them and see how each embodies the nuances of humanity in a way that reflects society and its inevitable frailties. The two-hour production evolves around moments that are utterly human. “…become a man so I can break a hip and die in peace,” Walter grumbles at his son, floundering as an adult. Other moments stir visceral reactions. “Not everything in this world is about being Black,” Dave barks about Walter’s lawsuit. “You’re an old Black man in a new white world.” In dialogue riddled with Rudy Guiliani-era political smears, Guirgis creates a sweet spot where every viewer feels the pain, regret, and fizzled dreams of a man who feels let down by life. Despite betrayal by those in his small circle – Audrey and Dave pressing a settlement to boost Dave’s promotion odds, Oswaldo’s violent dissolution, and an erotic experience with the scammer – Walter prevails.
These nuances are where the playwright shines and the cast of mostly Gamm-newcomers finds its footing. The most moving performances come from Cliff Odle as the wounded and cantankerous Walter and Anthony Goes as the shifty Dave. Goes fully embodies the shifty detective from crafty eye flickers to pompous ramblings, while Odle wears the pain of a beleaguered Black man like a chrysalis he finally sheds at the play’s end. New face Daniel Washington adds power and passion as Junior, shining in a late scene when demanding a lifetime of warmth and affection from his standoffish father. Maria Albertina is a welcome addition as the church lady, seducing Walter for his settlement. Flamboyant and demonstrative, she is a powerhouse to watch. On a cleverly crafted set given dimension and urban feel by scaffolding upstage and a halo of dangling Edison bulbs, the show also proves a stunning directorial tour de force for Jeff Church, artistic director of Burbage Theatre and regular Gamm actor. Church draws on his skill onstage to coax believable and endearing performances from the cast, essential for the show to hit the audience’s heart like it does. Between Riverside and Crazy is the definition of meaningful theatre, joining people in ways that are supportive or destructive with its universal message. The show is on stage at Gamm through March 9. For tickets, go to www.gammtheatre.org. •
