BWW Reviews: The Return of Hilarity with Theatre22's LIVE! FROM THE LAST NIGHT OF MY LIFE

Let's set the way back machine to September 2011 and we'll visit a time when Theatre Schmeater's production of a new play from Wayne Rawley kind of took Seattle by storm. It sold out houses and won several local awards. Now 3 ½ years later and Theatre22 has tried to recreate the magic by remounting the show with the same cast and much of the same crew. And Doug Sample (Ryan Higgins) and the rest of the cast may look a bit older but they're also more seasoned and focused performers as they manage to not only rediscover much of that magic but in some ways surpass it.

For those not familiar with the story from the first run (and you missed out) we join Doug Sample at the beginning of his graveyard shift at the local convenience store/gas station in 1999. It would be just another night at the Super Slurp with friends dropping by, kids trying to buy beer and assorted other crazies getting all their last minute needs except that Doug has decided at the end of his shift he's going to kill himself. Life just isn't what he wants to do anymore and so we spend the evening with him as he deals with a cavalcade of odd customers (some real and some not) and listen to him explain the reasons why his life just hasn't worked out (not the least of which is he just hasn't seemed to find a good group of back up dancers).

Rawley has been quite a prolific playwright around town but his dark comedy dealing with life and death is so tight and well structured (not to mention drop dead funny) that I feel it's his absolute best. I for one could see this taking off on New York stages and beyond with the right producers seeing it. It's just that good. And his direction of this tight ensemble has created a well oiled machine of storytelling.

As I said the cast is all back and better than ever. Higgins was damn good in the role before but now we see a more seasoned actor who's able to convey so much without ever saying a word and knowing how to make the quite emotional arc of this character ebb and flow beautifully building to a bittersweet climax. But Higgins isn't the only one bringing the goods as this ensemble (Samie Detzer, Corey McDaniel, Ashley Bagwell, Alyson Bedford, Katie Driscoll, James Weidman, Heather Gautschi, and Jason Sharp) gracefully glides from one character to another and from scene to dance number to fight and back again. I especially have to call out some comedic gold from Sharp with a spot on Danny Zuko and Driscoll for some of most hilariously timed banter in the opening scene.

The set from Michael Mowery is just as gorgeous as before but this time has a little more room to play in, making it just that much better. This is just one of those Seattle gems that you don't want to miss. If you caught it before then you'll want to catch it again and if you missed it before I'm sure you were kicking yourself and now's your chance. With my three letter rating system I give "Live! From the Last Night of My Life" and great big extreme YAY! As Big Jack would say, "don't just live life, Grab it and JACK IT!" and get your butts to catch this one before it's gone ... AGAIN!

"Live! From the Last Night of My Life" from Theatre22 performs at 12th Avenue Arts through April 18th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.theatre22.org.

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