Review: LAZY FAIR at MAD CAT

An unusual evening at the theatre? You bet. And where? Mad Cat. Of course. That's what they've been doing for the past fifteen years thanks to founder Paul Tei. How about we say they're successfully different?

And different it is with Theo Reyna's new play, LAZY FAIR. It's all about the deadly sin we love, no not lust, you blue nose, but greed. The thing that makes the world go 'round. And up and down.

Reyna, who also directs, has the strong cast of Ken Clement, Andy Quiroga and Meredith Bartmon sitting cross legged in a row, three wise monkeys. They're on a Persian carpet in a voluptuous, tented seraglio. No wives or mistresses hiding within the delicate draperies. But appropriately seductive music drifts over the scene.

Bartmon wears a dark robe with a head scarf. Quiroga is dressed for the desert: boots, camo pants, bush vest. And Clement, in the middle, is the epitome of greed. He's an Arabic Boss Tweed with a hat. Gowned, corpulent, cunning.

These three are going to blow open the door behind them and take the treasures within. Treasure? They don't know. They hope. They have no idea. But whatever it is, they'll take it and ruin the rich and share with the poor, ahem, and everybody in the world will be nice and smile and pat little tots on the head. You think?

Reyna's play is a piece of unfinished sentences, interruptions, screams, violence and humor. And it's fascinating. A short piece, and rightly so, it's a clever summation of, oh, I don't know, today's world. Whatever. But it is entertaining, and for what else could you ask?

Theo Reyna does it by threes; he also appears as an actor in LAZY FAIR. Hovering over a box. Mysterious.

And the title LAZY FAIR? I'm guessing it's taken from the French laissez faire, beloved in economic circles.

It's an excellent production of a small show in a small space. Paul Tei with his imaginative costumes, props and set, Matt Corey sound, Melissa Santiago Keenan lights and button pushing stage manager Josieu Jean make a strong team.

LAZY FAIR runs through September 6 at MTC's Sandbox, 9816 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores. 305-751-9550 http://www.madcattheatre.org

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