A Guide for the Perplexed Left Me Exactly That

Victory Gardens closes its 2009-2010 season with the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's A Guide for the Perplexed.  Starring Kevin Anderson and Francis Guinan along with Bubba Weiler, Meg Thalken and Cynthia Baker, A Guide for the Perplexed is the story of Doug (played by Anderson).  A recently released petty criminal, Doug is forced to take up residence with his sister's family during his rehabilitation process.  This "fish out of water" scenario forces the men of the piece to face their own true identities, guilt and possibilities of redemption.  Directed by Associate Artistic Director, Sandy Shinner, A Guide for the Perplexed runs now through August 15^th at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater.

A Guide for the Perplexed can be best described as an incomplete play with an inconsistent Tech Design.  I, nor Johnson for that fact, can decide whose play this is?  Is it Doug's, the petty criminal facing his dark, if only alluded to, familial past?  Is it Phillip's, Doug's white-collar criminal Brother-in-Law forced to face his lies to his family as well as himself?  Or is it Andrew's, Doug's angst-ridden nephew who must force the men in his life to stabilize in order for him to have the same?  And if this is all the case, why bother to introduce two underwritten, two-dimensional female characters? 

The piece takes place almost in its entirety in the lush study of Phillip's home in Glencoe.  Jeff Bauer's design is so rich and interesting that one could only imagine that we're in the back of some amazing Frank Lloyd Wright house.  Nonetheless, this set was paired up with a sound design so lackluster that I was able to hear the gears shifting as the stage rotated.  Was that a purposeful choice?

The redeeming quality of this piece is its amazing cast of actors, specifically Anderson, Guinan and Weiler.  They bring a dimensionality and life to some pretty lifeless characters.  It should be noted though, that I am a fan of these guys, specifically Guinan.  He could read the phone book and I would buy a ticket. 

If you are in Lincoln Park, A Guide for the Perplexed is a good chance to check out some great acting.  Otherwise, if you missed it, it wouldn't be a tragedy.

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