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:: Nerve |
"Echo Theatre Company's presentation is a must-see production that features two of St. Louis's finest actors… Ellen Isom's choreography of these "episodes" is amazingly funny, and allows Backer to show off her unique abilities. Eric Little's direction is superb. This is a well-crafted and tight little show (it runs about an hour), that's thoroughly engaging. Little's set is simple and efficient, recreating a typical bar with the most minimal of props and lighting, and thus guaranteeing that the focus will be on the two exceptional actors. Kelly Kerr's sound design offers up plenty of familiar tunes as background noise, and they're cleverly matched so that they comment on the action as well. The Echo Theatre Company's production of NERVE is essential viewing. It's incredibly funny, and you'll have the opportunity to see a pair of terrific performers." "Save the Date: Echo Theatre's got a lot of Nerve… Throughout the evening Backer is so spontaneous, a viewer who didn't know better might wonder if this role was written especially for her. You can almost imagine the playwright sitting in on the Echo Theatre rehearsals, feeding her new lines suited to her delivery." "...a brilliantly conceived and executed short show by Adam Szymkowicz... Backer with her hands full of 2008 Kevin Kline Awards, gives another of her touching, funny, pathetic, geeky but endearing performances. Charlie Barron’s “Everyman” persona is undercut here by some serious weirdness which at times belies his boyish demeanor, making him downright scary in places… Eric Little directs with his usual light but sure hand… Ellen Isom’s choreography allows Backer to exercise her physicality as an actor, since movement is one of her strongest suits on stage, and that also helps define something important she has revealed about her character. Maureen Hanratty’s lights set the mood… If you saw THE UGLY ONE, Echo’s first show in its new home in the ArtSpace at Crestwood Court, you sat on chairs in the middle of an old shoe store which clearly showed its provenance. Now, however, when you walk in Theatre 134, you find soft lights, comfortable and attractive furniture, and audience seating on risers. What an amazing transformation!” Echo Theatre does some of the most consistently original and interesting work in town. I hope you’ll support them by enjoying Nerve. "Little shrewdly utilizes the talents of two of the area's finest comic performers, Colleen Backer and Charlie Barron... Little directs with his usual flair and keen eye for details.....NERVE is a bundle of laughs that allows its audience to commiserate with the poor souls on stage yearning for love in all their awkward vulnerability." "This couple's freaky first date makes for edgy modern comedy. It's the kind of show that looks right at home in Echo's new space, the sleek and stylish Theatre 134."
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