Enter The Observatory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 20, 2011 -- I happily admit that I occasionally do not look forward to film or theater reviews, because I know I am going there specifically to appraise the work of the actors, technicians, writers and directors. To offset this, I occasionally find random work to simply sit back, turn off my mind and enjoy. Recently, I stumbled upon a DVD of a theater play entitled "The Observatory", written and directed by Chicago playwright Vincent Truman. And was blown away to the point where I had to write about it.

The premise of "The Observatory" is simple: an average, struggling couple are given the chance to earn a healthy bundle of cash in return for watching a hologram of a "person of interest" beamed into their home. After the couple, played by local actors Colin Fewell and Kasey O'Brien, agree, an Observatory is instantly installed in their attic as they watch dumbfounded - and instantly over their heads.

What follows is a fascinating study of prisoner and guard, as the prisoner (played slightly over the top by Kate Lane, who occasionally seems to be performing in another show) and the guard, David (Fewell), simply sit in a room together. O'Brien's vivacious character, knowing too well that this is a mistake, opts to bolt after a couple of months, leaving Fewell to watch Lane for weeks and months on end. With each subsequent scene, though, Truman drops a bomb followed by a bigger bomb followed by another. First, the prisoner appears to hear David. Then, another holographic guard shows up and beats the prisoner while David watches helplessly. Then, the technician who installed the device is blithe and dismissive of David's claims. The slow, impending doom as David's mental faculties, while being isolated with a prisoner who may - or may not - hear him, begin to deteriorate is reminiscent of Bowie's first film "Moon." Coupled with an eerie soundtrack that pushes time forward but haltingly, the final climax, in which David plots to spring the prisoner, is utterly devastating.

Not enough can be said about Colin Fewell's David. Like an onion, he is peeled away bit by bit. Experiences, his marriage, his intelligence all are vanquished over the course of the play, leaving only a confused child in its wake. Kudos also to Vincent Truman, who pops up as the government agent who sells the program to David and his wife in the first place. With wonderful comic timing, he is the perfect salesman, making an offer that one does not want to refuse because it sounds fun and easy.

*** stars. Buy this disc and get ready for a wonderful and terrifying ride.
Get your own copy of "The Observatory" through lulu.com at:
http://www.lulu.com/product/dvd/the-observatory-(dvd)/14439453?productTrackingContext=product_view/more_by_author/right/1

Or, if you're in Chicago, get ready for encore performances in April 2011 at Chicago's Charnel House theater:
http://www.vincenttruman.net/observatory/observatory1.htm

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