Review: Darkly Hilarious THE FLU SEASON at Burbage Theatre Company

THE FLU SEASON is a darkly funny, incredibly touching and thoroughly strange production. At its core, it's a simple story about love and relationships. The setting of a mental hospital, with additional commentary from two men known as Prologue and Epilogue, who are dueling over creating the story as it unfolds for the audience, complicates things and interjects unexpected twists and turns. Burbage Theatre Company has never been afraid to take on the surreal and strange, and with The Flu Season, they have proven once again that odd little stories are in very good hands. Under the expert direction of Wendy Overly, this simple premise becomes wholly immersive and heartbreaking.

What works particularly well in this production, as with most Burbage shows, is the level of detail in the sets, costumes and lighting. The seating is arranged in the round, and most of the action takes place either in one of two corners, or right in the middle of the space. The furniture is on wheels, and is moved and arranged in all manner of configurations, creating both the illusion of a much larger space, but also the sense of distortion and discombobulation that our two main characters are likely feeling while receiving psychiatric treatment and trying to figure out how to exist. Jim Sullivan as Prologue, and Jeff Church as Epilogue, have two desks on stage next to each other where they can oversee most of the action. Prologue's desk is a refined dark wood with a stack of smart-looking books and the lamp you see on psychiatrist's desks in tv and movies, whereas Epilogue's desk is an IKEA classic covered in Dunkin Donuts cups, papers, a heavily stickered laptop and a cheap lamp found in most college dorms. The two men wear the same clothes, but where Prologue is neat, buttoned up and tucked in, Epilogue is untucked with a stained shirt, a head of wild hair and two days beard. Clearly getting from the beginning to the end of the story takes a toll, and the men alternate narrating with Prologue calm and confident and Epilogue right near the breaking point.

They're narrating the story of Man, played by James Lucey and Woman played by Rachel Dulude, two individuals who come together despite some reluctance from Woman, and who for a brief moment seem almost perfect together. James Lucey's Man seems constantly bewildered, almost a deer in headlights when he's in therapy with the Doctor, played by Andrew Stigler, but then he seems more calm around Woman. Woman, by contrast, is very reticent, very standoffish at first. The always excellent Rachel Dulude manages to communicate the subtle shift in Woman's feelings so perfectly that the audience can't help but be completely with her every step of the way. Without an actress able to perfectly say so much with every action and gesture as well as with dialogue, it's hard to imagine this play being as powerful as it is. Dulude is always surprising and wonderful to watch, and this play is no exception.

Andrew Stigler as Doctor and Clare Blackmer as Nurse provide needed levity, as does Epilogue, and as with most dark comedy, the humor contrasts well with the more serious moments and makes everything seem heightened. Stigler and Blackmer both do a fantastic job as the self-absorbed people who are supposed to be helping, but who instead wander down bizarre memory lanes of lost love while Man and Woman sit perplexed.

Similarly Sullivan as Prologue initially comes of as sweetly eager to tell a story, but the story keeps slipping away from his as Epilogue jumps up and interjects. Sullivan's optimistic demeanor starts to wobble and eventually he has to admit that his story has gotten away from him. Church, as Epilogue is intense and twitchy right from the beginning, then seems to calm down when the stakes for Man and Woman are raised.

It's hard to say too much without giving things away, but this is a play that will hit every emotion, and is exceptionally well-executed by the actors and technical crew of Burbage Theatre Company. Despite the simple premise, this play seems to compound exponentially in terms of stakes and the actors all manage to carry the tension perfectly while still leaving room for laughter and oddball moments. It's an incredibly satisfying feeling to come away from a show both surprised and entertained, and Burbage manages both with this production.

The Flu Season runs November 4 - December 3 at Aurora Providence, 276 Westminster Street, Providence RI. Tickets are $10-$20. Visit www.burbagetheatre.org to purchase tickets.

Photo L to R: James Lucey as Man, Jeff Church as Epilogue, Rachel Dulude as Woman. Photo by Andrew Iacovelli.

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