Review: DISCORD at Temple Of Music And Art

If you were ever curious as to what would occur if you locked our third president of the United States, the author of A Christmas Carol, and the author of War and Peace in an exitless room, you'll need to make it down to the Temple of Music and Art before April 30th. The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord, a new play by playwright Scott Carter (Executive Producer of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher) gives a clear answer: a comedic story of three great men of literature and history who are forced to endure it once again.

The play opens in a plain, undecorated, metallic room, as set by scenic designer, Takeshi Kata. The walls of which are continuously used for projections, by Jeffery Elias Teeter. Here, time does exists, but not as we've come to know it, being that all three men arrive right after their deaths. First to arrive is Thomas Jefferson (Larry Cedar), soon followed by Charles Dickens (Mark Gagliardi) and Count Leo Tolstoy (Armin Shimerman), in fits of confusion for they have not reached their final destination -- instead, they are trapped.

What follows is a performance full of literary, historical, and word based puns to entice laughter from the audience, as the three come to the discovery of having one specific thing in common: each has revised their own version of the story of Jesus Christ. Dicken's version is a re-telling made specifically for children; Jefferson's focuses on Jesus' moral teachings; and Tolstoy's ultimately tells the secret of life in three little words.

The trio of brilliant actors come together amazingly well, all of whom bring a unique force to their characters and to the stage. The resemblance between Cedar and Jefferson is almost uncanny; his performance - his dry humor and love for reason - truly embodies the Founding Father. Gagliardi's Dickens is enjoyably flamboyant and so expressive; his humor is incredibly well timed. Shimerman, with a very credible Russian accent, brings such a sense of toughness to Tolstoy and delivers some of the best puns in the play.

Ultimately, Discord will make the audience laugh, but towards the end, as it grows incredibly more serious. It will make you head home asking questions and reflecting upon the actions you've taken. It forces you to think back on your own life - both the good and the bad.

The Arizona Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season is sponsored by I. Michael and Beth Kasser; the production sponsors are Dolly and Jim Moran. The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord runs until April 30th (95 minutes, no intermission), with tickets starting at $46 a piece, which can be purchased at the box office at the Temple of Music and Art (333 S. Scott Ave), via telephone at (520) 622-2823, or online at www.arizonatheatre.org. Discounted rates are available at all performances to seniors and active military members. Students can purchase tickets for $10 at all performances and half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seats one hour prior to curtain.

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord closes what has been a great 2015-2016 season at ATC.

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