Acting Up

Cilicia A. Yakhlef

Punchy Fun
@ Right On, America!

Nov. 10, 11, 18 @ 11 pm
Denver Civic Theatre
721 Santa Fe Drive
303-595-3800

Right On, America! is a quick-witted social commentary which takes on the pace and tone of an inbred infomercial parented by daytime soaps and raised on a steady diet of politically incorrect formulaic stereotypes. The play was the top-grossing show at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival, and Denver Civic theater's production brings this baby bouncing right into the audience's lap, loaded with drool and diapers drooping with stuff that smells like the dark underside of the politically correct movement.

In a fine marriage of script-writing and directorial talent, the play, a social satire composed of multitudes of social snapshots, spins out insults, innuendo and paradoxes with an intensity which mirrors the 60-second subliminal commercial blitzkrieg targeted throughout much of the action. In fact, commercial targets like burger barons, brewmeisters and dogmatic medical matrons perfunctorily punctuate every scene. Bits like "I Am My Dad," "Secrets of Grandpa Magic" and "Mr. Boss-Man Charlie" investigate heady issues like smoking as a weight loss program, the positive influences of Hitler on Stephen Spielberg's career and the underlying connection between a new truck and an erection (like a rock). The resulting melee is a wildly chaotic stretch of theater that brings a new meaning to the term pot-shots. Float like a butterfly, sting like a beeŃ this play jabs like Mohammed Ali.

The cast-- Michael Morgan, Elgin Kelley, Brett Aune, Kurt Grosser, Karen LaMoureaux and one anonymously named "Mr. Smarty Pants"-- literally jump from one role to another in a tumbling montage of overt characterizations ranging from lecherous fathers to raging drunken teens to Elvis as God. With this much action, tight performances from all, solid direction, good stage effects and an active set, the play is one that's guaranteed to keep you awake.

Good thing, too because the 11 p. m. curtain could present some challenges if the show were a dozer. However, for those of us who are punctuality challenged or like to take in a leisurely dinner any time after sunset, the late curtain is a definite plus. Even if you want to take in an earlier show, you can still pick up "Right On, America!" for only $5 as part of a double-feature bargain package offered by DCT. However, those who elect to take in only "Right On, America!" will still find a bargain with a ticket price of just $10 (which includes a free drink). Sober or sloshed though, you're sure to enjoy the show.