BWW Reviews: Muddy Waters Theatre Presents Creepy and Compelling Production of BUG

Bug is a play that gets under your skin, burrowing into your psyche and feasting on your anxieties. It may make you restless to watch it, and you may find yourself absentmindedly scratching at imaginary itches. It's a small tale filled with big ideas, and a must-see for conspiracy theory enthusiasts and fans of grindhouse films from the 1970's. Muddy Waters Theatre presents a strong and brave cast for their current production that combines with solid direction to make for an unusually compelling experience.

A lonely, divorced waitress with substance abuse issues named Agnes, spends her days indulging her vices in an isolated motel room in Oklahoma City. It dulls the pain of her existence, and helps her forget the son who went missing several years ago. Her lesbian friend, RC, keeps her supplied with cocaine and brings a shy and odd guy name Peter Evans over to party. Peter ends up staying overnight, but sleeps on the floor. However, his peculiar ways and intelligent, but stream of conscious conversations, sparks something in Agnes and the pair become fast friends and lovers. But, there's more to Peter than meets the eye, and when he begins to complain that her motel room is infested with insects, things takes an even weirder turn. To complicate matters, her ex, Jerry Goss drops in after his release from prison.

Kirsten Wylder gives a very good performance in a difficult role as Agnes. She expertly captures the longing for companionship that Agnes feels. When she latches onto Peter, you know it's a mistake, but she makes you understand the desperation simmering below the surface. Justin Ivan Brown is equally sharp as Peter, imbuing the character with a creepy innocence before baring his true self. It's an excellent, fully vested performance, and watching him unravel is riveting stuff.

Jared Sanz-Agero is an imposing menace as Jerry. His actions are despicable at times, and Sanz-Agero handles the violent nature of his character well. Each of his appearances carries a sense of unease and dread at what he's capable of doing. Jenn Bock is also successful as RC. Andrew Kuhlman is a bit miscast as Dr. Sweet, who's familiar with Peter, and wants to give him some professional help. Kuhlman's performance simply lacks credibility.

Cameron Ulrich's direction features a number of arresting moments in this grim work. Mark Wilson's seedy scenery and David Hahn's moody lighting scheme effectively enhances the grimy atmosphere. Ellen Minch's costumes are simple, but thoughtfully conceived (although they aren't worn much by Wylder or Brown).

With Bug, Tracy Letts has written an intriguing play that confounds expectations at every turn. Individually, the scenes that constitute the work are, more often than not, mundane in content, especially during the first act. But, Letts carefully builds the tension over the course of the piece until it explodes in a climax that is best left unrevealed. Bug may not be everyone's cup of tea; there's violence, gore, naked actors, and adult language. But, even though you may not like these characters, you'll find yourself engaged and disturbed, nonetheless.

Muddy Waters Theatre's creepy production of Bug continues through March 25, 2012 at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

 

 

 

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