Double Delights at Meanwhile Park with VACATION and RED DEVIL

SUGARHOUSE  — Meanwhile Park is a theatre venue unlike any other. The brain child of Jeff Paris, the 3-year-old company is hosted in the backyard of Artistic Director Jeff Paris and is as intimate as it is relaxing. A show at Meanwhile Park, is an event well before the light’s dim.  Production themed cocktails are ordered and served at your seat along with beautifully branded snack packs of nuts and chocolate. An upbeat soundtrack plays while new friends and old chat as the dusk settles. Beautiful vines, shady trees, and lush foliage frame the stage and audience. Though I took an offered mosquito deterrent wipe, I still ended up with a few itchy bites, so if you are prone to them, a bit of bug spray would be recommended. The show started almost on time and despite any minor irritations, the patio party atmosphere can only be described as charming. 

This summer, the company is performing a double header of world premiere one-act plays. They were selected from over 170 global submissions by living playwrights by a local committee. The first piece, Vacation, is less than 30 minutes and the second, Red Devil, is closer to 40 with a 10 minute intermission. Each play was well cast and staged with a simplicity that complimented the cozy but elegant space. Paris and his production team, including Lee Hollaar on lighting and sound, are to be commended for their superbly professional efforts.

Vacation plays at Meanwhile Park through Sunday July 20.

VACATION

Vacation is a dark comedy by Nathan Johnson about long married couple James and Barrett where things are not as joyful as they seem. , Directed by Jason Bowcutt, Barrett  (Alexis Baigue) and James (Dan Beecher) share obvious deep affection for one another,  but are also so exasperated that they may or may not be actively plotting murder most foul. The acerbic dialogue is clearly aiming at a modernized take on Oscar Wilde. Johnson’s script is delivered with gusto by both actors. Baigue especially shines as he leans into Barrett’s over the top machinations. Both actors are well cast and clearly enjoy chewing the very simple scenery. There is an argument to be made that the already audacious script might be better served by a more restrained physical delivery by both actors, but the impact is still amusing and engaging. It also serves a tart aperitif for the emotionally richer play that follows.

Red Devil plays at Meanwhile Park through Sunday July 20.

RED DEVIL

 For a play set in a cancer treatment center, Red Devil, by Andrea Berting, packs in a lot of joy. Much of that can be attributed to the ebullient performances of the actors. Local legends Vicki Pugmire and Reb Fleming are perfect in their roles as the aging Rose and Val, who have developed a deep friendship during their chemotherapy sessions. Their bond is challenged when Emmie, a young social media darling with a dark prognosis, played with zest and depth  by Laura Elise Chapman, joins their treatment schedule. While Berting’s script is actively attempting to subvert the pinkwashed cheerfulness of breast cancer marketing, it still paints a rather rosy picture that leans a little too far into the sentimental and didactic for my taste. And yet, the actors do a fantastic job of confronting the stark contrasts inherent in a life and/or death situation. Under the direction of Teresa Sanderson, these characters wrestle with their grim circumstance, their histories, and with their love for each other, they prove that loneliness and isolation can be a fate worse than death, and that, schmaltzy though it might seem, it is our relationships that are really all we have in life. Berting is right that, like most of life, cancer is not glamorous, and though it is terrifying it can be funny and full of love. Though I appreciated that the plot kept me guessing what would happen, I think a tighter, and less beautiful ending might ring more powerfully for audiences. 

Whatever my quibbles, both these pieces are well worth seeing. With the beautiful surroundings and unique ambiance of Meanwhile Park, the ticket cost is well worth the experience. The performances are nearly sold out, but if you’re lucky enough to snag a seat, sit back and allow yourself to be beguiled.

These reviews are made possible by a grant from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks program.