Strawdog Theatre presents Max Frisch’s THE ARSONISTS.
Why would anyone knowingly invite trouble into their life? Playwright Max Frisch answers that question in absurdity. Frisch sets his tale in a city plagued by arsonists. His protagonist, Biedermann (played with deft by Robert Kauzlaric) gets goaded into defending his morality by the charismatic Scott Danielson (Schmitz). Kauzlaric represents the untouchable, upper class. He’s a tyrant… over the phone. Yet, when he’s confronted in his own study by a homeless man, he buckles. The slick Danielson cajoles the back-peddling Kauzlaric into harboring not one but two arsonists.
Under the masterful direction of Matt Hawkins, the dark comedy goes to absurd heights. Hawkins stages the spectacle with Kauzlaric in complete defense mode. It plays out like a trial of the people verses Biedermann. The fast-talking Kauzlaric is out to prove he is innocent of any prejudice at any cost. Danielson and his cohort Ira Amyx (Eisenring) contrast Kauzlaric’s lunacy perfectly. Danielson and Amyx are a nice balance of amicable and evil. Even though their pleasant demeanors coax out some speculation, their fiery intentions are known through their own ongoing matter-of-fact pronouncements.
Sarah Goeden (Babette) plays Kauzlaric’s wife. The wide-eyed and expressive Goeden is hilarious. One moment, she is frazzled and fearful. Then after popping pills with a wine chaser, she is making merry. Hawkins orchestrates multiple moments of drastic emotional shifts. During the pivotal dinner scene, the foursome are yucking it up. Then Danielson and Amyx abruptly end the frivolity. Kauzlaric‘s desperation is palpable. And Goeden is heartbreakingly terrified.
Frisch’s play is theatre of the absurd. The plot is obvious from the start. The title says it all. Still, Hawkins keeps the audience engaged in his well-paced chaos. At one point, Kauzlaric and Goeden are trying to speak logically as they weave in and out of a long, webbed fuse. Hawkins kicks the absurdity up with physical comedy. On the fringes of the stage are the chorus dressed like firefighters. When Kauzlaric tries to light a cigar, they rush in… every time. Absurd!
THE ARSONISTS ignites and sizzles.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
At Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway
Written by Max Frisch
Adapted by Alistair Beaton
Directed by Matt Hawkins
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 4pm
Thru September 27th
Buy Tickets at www.strawdog.org
Production photo by Chris Ocken
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