Review: HOW TO USE A KNIFE at Unicorn Theater

Lower east side restaurant owner Michael (Brian Paulette) introduces George (Matt Rapport,) the new executive chef, to his kitchen staff. And so opens "How To Use A Knife" by Will Snider, a National New Play Network production, at the Unicorn Theater. "Knife," well directed by Sidonie Garrett, investigates the relationships and burdens of those destined to toil on the lower rungs of the fine dining ladder.

The restaurant is one of those financial district watering holes that is busy mostly at lunch times. By suppertime, the financial markets have been three hours closed and the haggard inhabitants of the Wall Street Trading desks have mostly opted for more upscale dining or simply gone home.

"At the center of this story is a friendship between two characters who have a kinship because they both have done bad things in their lives, yet dealt with them in different ways," said Director Garrett. "They collide on the complex issue of how to live beyond guilt when it seems impossible to move on from your past," she explained.

The remaining staff includes two line cooks of Hispanic origin, a busboy named Jack (who aspires to being a writer), and a quiet, but impressive looking dishwasher named Steve. Scripts need complicating characters to drive the main action. For "Knife" the complicator- in -chief is Kim (Carla Noack), an inspector from Homeland Security.

Chef George (Matt Rapport) would obviously prefer another kind of employment. He has been a three star chef, but personal problems have reduced him to working here. George owes his new job to his having mentored owner Michael in a previous life. George attempts to assert his experience, knowledge, and authority over the staff.

The line cooks, Carlos (Justin Barron) and Miguel (D'Andre McKenzie) do their own thing. They amuse themselves by tormenting busboy Jack (J Will Frtiz), and flinging insults back and forth en Espanol. They have seen bosses like George before. They will be here long after he is gone. The last member of the kitchen staff is quiet dishwasher Steve (Damron Russel Armstrong). Steve is obviously miscast as a dishwasher. He is a big guy with a certain dignity about him. He does not quite fit with the others. George soon realizes that Steve may turn out to be the ally he thinks he needs.

George is an addict and alcoholic in recovery. He had previously risen fairly high in the restaurant business before a personal tragedy drove him to addiction. He asks Steve to be his eyes and ears in the kitchen. Steve agrees, but at a price. Steve asks George to school him in the art of becoming a chef. Steve is a quick study and a dedicated student.

The owner, Michael, reappears with Kim, the DHS inspector, in tow. Kim has had a tip that an African fugitive war criminal may be in the area. We get a glimpse behind the curtain and see that Steve may be this man. George agrees to review restaurant records for Kim.

Both George and Steve have back-stories. George had a happy wife, child, and a job until a horrible accident ruined everything. The baby (under George's care) ventured too close to an open apartment house window and fell to her death. George cannot forgive himself. He latches onto drugs and booze to deaden the pain. He spirals downward and loses everything. Steve has been the victim of an African civil war. He too has lost a family, but his reaction is to join rebel military and seek revenge. He has now escaped. He wants a new life.

George Realizes that Kim's fugitive is actually Steve. There is no choice. George must turn Steve in, but he warns Steve first. George's fragile recovery is ripped apart and he all but destroys the kitchen in rage. The line cooks spy the mess and begin to clean up in anticipation of opening. They need this job they tell George and sadly the lives go on sans Steve..

"How To Use A Knife" is an interesting character study that plays almost 2 hours without intermission. Matt Rapport is good as George. Damron Armstrong as Steve is excellent. These are substantial persons who act with authenticity and intelligence. Sid Garrett has done an excellent job of moving the action along through multiple scene changes.

National Play Network offers premiere productions of new works. "How to Use A Knife" is in sort of an out-of-town tryout. Improvements may still happen based on audience reaction. Both the sets and the costumes are very good. Attention to detail is excellent. Some dialog could tighten. The length of the show seems excessive without intermission. The dramatic arc could tighten and the transformation/resolution might be better defined.

"How To Use a Knife" continues at the Unicorn Theater through February 19th. Tickets are available on the Unicorn website or by telephone at (816) 531-PLAY.

Unicorn Photo by Cynthia Levin.

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