Review: Powerhouse Performances in Book-It's BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO

Book-It Repertory Theatre has once again brought to life another gripping tale, this time with Junot Diaz's, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao", as adapted and directed by Elise Thoron. And as gripping as the tale is what makes it even more riveting are the powerhouse performances from the over 20 characters inhabiting the stage at the Center House Theatre throughout the evening creating the beautiful, funny, dangerous and heartbreaking world. Oh, and did I mention all of the over 20 characters are being played by one lone, amazing actor, Elvis Nolasco?

Diaz's book is part story, part history lesson, part culture lesson as Yunior, our narrator for the evening, gives us all a primer on Dominican life prior to launching into the tale of his friend and roommate Oscar, an overweight, intelligent young man obsessed with sci-fi and falling in love. The sci-fi he has in abundance but the love continues to allude him until his family makes a trip back to the Dominican Republic and Oscar falls in love, but unfortunately with the wrong woman.

Thoron has done a fantastic job in adapting the piece keeping the spirit alive with its back and forth between English and Spanish and asides for "brief history lessons". But what's more she's kept the energy of it alive by keeping it simple. From Catherine Cornell's simple yet well-appointed three level set to Thorn Michaels' stunning lighting to using only one actor to convey the tale it keeps the book as more of a conversation than a performance. It's just a friend telling you this fascinating story and that feeling would have been lost with more of the trappings of a grand play.

But it's Nolasco, obviously, who does said conveyance. Switching back and forth from character to character with seeming ease, never once leaving any doubt as to who we're hearing from as he brilliantly has a stance or vocal inflection indicative for each. But it's his welcoming presence that draws us in and makes us want to listen. We want to hear the story from him as he makes it come alive. And that's what makes a great storyteller.

Oscar's life may have been all too brief but thankfully his story will live on in Diaz's book and now in Thoron's play for all to see. And so, with my three-letter rating system, I give Book-It Repertory Theatre's production of "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" a powerhouse of a YAY. A beautiful tale told by a stunning performer.

"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" from Book-It Repertory Theatre performs at the Center House Theatre through May 6th. For tickets or information contact the Book-It box office at 206-216-0833 or visit them online at www.book-it.org.

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