Review: Dezart Performs Delivers A Polished and Poignant SUICIDE DOGS At The Pearl McManus Theatre

Before I even begin my review of SUICIDE DOGS, which opened last Friday evening in Palm Springs for a limited two week run, I want to give Dezart Performs a standing ovation. Dezart Performs is dedicated to the development of new theatrical works, providing a safe haven for new plays and giving voice to burgeoning playwrights at all stages - from table readings to staged readings and, for some, full blown productions. And that effort and commitment is to be applauded and rewarded. Rewarded, how? By getting into the theatre and supporting this vibrant theatre company as they showcase these new works, and providing the authors the vital "next step" in their process - the critical eye of a live audience. I urge you to put Dezart Performs squarely on your radar - both their mission and the professional quality of their work deserve an audience!!

SUICIDE DOGS, by Jess Honovich, was the audience favorite in the companies' 2015 Playreading Festival and, thus, was granted a fully staged production. The play focuses on the aftermath of the suicide of a man named Barry, a professional golfer, and his estranged siblings' efforts to pick up the pieces, make sense of it all and find some closure. The biggest casualty in the wake of Barry's suicide is his dog, Driver - hence the title of the play - who was, by all accounts, his closest confidante and definitive best friend. The stories' central focus - now that Barry is gone, what to do with Driver?

I will start by saying I REALLY enjoyed this play, albeit my critique. And I know you will, too.

Michael Shaw's direction is steller - it is natural and nuanced and, at all times, engaging. He displays a deft and subtle hand at walking his characters through the story and keeping them ever "real" and "grounded", even when the author's words sometimes border on soap or sitcom. It is a very polished, professional production in every sense of the word. Shaw also plays the role of Barry and his performance is one of the strongest in the ensemble. His performance, like his direction, is honest and effortless.

This is an ensemble piece and the ensemble is a bit uneven. Yo Younger, as Barry's sister Amelia, is outstanding. She is believable at every turn and displays tremendous skill at balancing the comic, manic and dramatic energies inherent in the role. Amelia anchors the family and Younger anchors the cast. She brings both strong choices and delicate shadings to her character and is quite masterful. Stan Jenson, as the over-the-top neighbor Podgy, brings a comedic ease to his performance that is never artificial or strained which allows him to bridge the gap between "punchline" and "vulnerability", when required, quite effectively and with great success.

Denise Strand's "Dori" seems, for most of Act One, a little forced and contrived - I was taken out of the play every time she appeared because she was a constant reminder that I was "watching an actor in a play." She is stronger, and more subtle, in Act Two and her intimate scenes with Younger are her most effective work. Ron Hubler's "Dave" is quite broad and, at times, feels a bit overplayed and unbelievable.

Rachel Silverman brought tremendous energy to the role of Frankie.

Playwright Jess Honovich calls her play a "dramedy" which seems to be a bit of a safety net to lower audience expectations since it is neither highly funny or highly dramatic. It falls somewhere in-between which is, often, a bit lukewarm. Honovich relies too often on the "f-word", by nearly every leading character in her play, as a crutch to get a laugh in lieu of a finely crafted line that is truly funny. The dialogue is uneven, some really terrific and some "not so"- which is to be expected in a new work that is still finding its way. Her best work comes in her monologues - mostly by Barry - which are honest and humorous and don't seem to try so hard. At times the character banter (dialogue) seems designed more to "fill time" than to move story along. SUICIDE DOGS was quite endearing and highly poignant, if unremarkable.

The production values are quite strong. Thomas L. Valach's set is attractive and effective and Phil Murphy's lighting design is top notch . Clark Duggar's sound design is outstanding and supports the play, and the invisible character "Driver, at every turn. The entire technical team should be commended for taking a "space" - the multi-purpose room at the Palm Springs Women's Club - and transforming it into an intimate "theatre".

Dezart Performs' Suicide Dogs is being performed at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, through Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman's Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, in Palm Springs. Tickets are $28 for evening shows, and $24 for matinees. For tickets or more information, call 760-322-0179, or visit www.dezartperforms.org.

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