The Arts / Reviews

Theater review: ‘Clouds’ rewards Guild regulars

By David Burke | Wednesday, August 20, 2008 | () comments

It’s the time of year when Genesius Guild acts lightly and carries a big (and sometimes pointed) schtick.

The guild’s season-ender, as always, is a farce-upon-a-farce — this time, Aristophanes’ “The Clouds.”

But even Aristophanes (in the person of Bryan Woods) appears and can’t recognize his own show. That’s because, by the show’s own admission, only one line remains of the original script from the late fifth century.

Instead, the commentary comes from the pen of Don Wooten, the Genesius founder and contender for Quad-City king of all media.

Wooten’s script takes on everything from reality television to local theater companies, critics, riverboat gambling, TV meteorologists, floodplains and — especially — higher education.

The basic plot remains as father Strepsiades, whose name gets butchered every which-way, tries to find higher education for his son Pheidippides to get him out of the house.

The father is played by Pat Flaherty, who has a Borscht Belt comedian’s timing in delivering his monologues. The son is played by David Wooten, whose age is likely only a year or two different from that of his onstage father.

Strepsiades gets thee to a Thinkery, an institute of higher education run by a female Socrates (Rae Mary, opening up a few Hillary Clinton references). At the Thinkery, Basic Ed (Bob Hanske) and Liberal Art (Doug Adkins) vie for supremacy, with help from various faculty members.

Socrates is assisted by Aristotle (Neil Friberg) and Plato (Edmund Dean, who lights up with the biggest, goofiest grin you’ll see in quite some time).

Meanwhile, seven title clouds, females in almost-matching costumes, linger around and above the stage.

The very self-aware comedy continues, albeit with a few inside jokes or stuff that those who have stuck with Genesius throughout the season can best appreciate.

It all erupts into the inevitable Mack Sennett/Keystone Kops-inspired chase scene through every entrance and exit — the repainted “Romeo & Juliet” set — on stage. Cast members see each other, jump in unison and continue their business.

And it all climaxes in a mass onstage collapse by the cast members. It’s exhausting for the cast, but fun for the audience — a 75-minute diversion that’ll give you a year’s worth of Quad-City-centric punchlines.

IF YOU GO

What: “The Clouds” by Genesius Guild

When: 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 9-10

Where: Lincoln Park theater, Rock Island

How much: Free

Information: Genesius.org

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this review at qctimes.com.