One can tell by its title that "bobrauschenbergamerica" has something to do with the influential artist who died early in 2008. But you'll "get" this play, written by Charles L. Mee through dozens of interrelated sketches, whether you know him (or art) or not. While the play might reward Rauschenberg aficionados with extra "in" jokes, it will likely spur more into learning about him.
Bob's Mom introduces the show with a glimpse into his childhood. That's all there is directly regarding Rauschenberg, although film projected on the wall throughout shows young Bob and his art.
Under Jack Tamburri's direction, the play is less a story than an amorphously plotted jumble. The interaction between Susan (Nilsa Reyna, Chicago Fusion Theatre’s artistic director) and Wilson (Michael Salinas) forms the most traditional "story." He's head-over-heels for her, she...not so much and she's married. Susan's dialogue on relationships haunts long after the play. ("Women either feel something or they don't. Guys try to control it, but miss what they really feel.")
Other characters include Phil the Trucker (Morgan Mahler) and his attention-starved girlfriend (Natalie DiCristofano), a Roller Girl (Lindsay Donley) and a manic pizza-delivery man (Jakub Haczkiewicz, horrifying and hilarious at once). The entire cast interacts at points, including at a picnic and as the cast of a play within a play.
Other highlights include Phil the Trucker's stand-up with chickens as theme (the birds are prominent in Raushenberger's work) and an act wherein Phil's Girl pours martini ingredients onto a slip-and-slide for a titillating alcohol-abuse metaphor.
"bobrauschenbergeramerica" leaves one feeling confused...in a good way. Like life itself, the play comes across as funny and thought-provoking, if not always conveniently plotted.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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