Circle Mirror Transformation at Hyde Park Theatre

Circle Mirror Transformation
Written by Annie Baker
Directed by Ken Webster
www.hydeparktheatre.org

This past weekend at Hyde Park Theatre, Circle Mirror Transformation made its debut. The young, emerging playwright Annie Baker who also brought audiences Body Awareness (which also was produced by Hyde Park Theatre back in the spring of this year) has enchanted audiences once again.

Baker’s simple style of writing and use of long awkward pauses make for some great material for an actor as well as make the audience more aware of where they are and what they’re watching. This might sound a bit strange for some. Most go to the theatre for reasons that are similar to going to the movies. They want to forget what’s going on for the next hour and forty-five minutes, they want to be unaware of their current situation, and they want to be entertained.  In Circle Mirror Transformation you will be entertained, but you will be moved from watching the morphing of the characters’ lives almost unknowingly until the very end.

Circle Mirror Transformation documents the lives of five people who meet each week for a beginning acting class at a local community center. The cast includes core company members of Hyde Park Theatre featuring Katherine Catmull, who portrays the new age instructor Marty, Kenneth Wayne Bradley who plays Shultz, a recent divorcee who follows around Theresa, Rebecca Robinson, like a love sick puppy. Xochitl Romero is Lauren, an aloof teenager that is taking the class to become a great actress and get the lead in her high school play. Ken Webster is Marty’s husband and also the director of the play.

Much time is spent observing the five engage in rudimentary acting games. Theatre people will appreciate and understand the games, possibly even reminisce about the first time they were introduced to such games. Not to say that everyone else will be lost, in fact, but just the opposite. People unaware about what’s going on will most likely find it absurd, awkward, and hilarious all at once.  Baker as well as the cast at Hyde Park have a way of gelling a connection with the audience whether they’re seasoned thespians or not.

You’ll laugh, shake your head about the absurd games that actors play in order to “be completely present” and fall in love with Baker’s innate way of transforming each of the characters’ lives in an hour without you even knowing it.

Final Word: This is a must-see. You will laugh and have a genuinely great time and the genius cast exhibit effortless comedic timing.  A

Circle Mirror Transformation runs at 8:00 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 8 – August 7. Every Thursday is Pay What You Can Night; Friday and Saturday tickets are $19 ($17 for students, seniors, and ACOT members). For reservations call 479-PLAY (7529) or purchase tickets online.