These Paper Bullets!
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Cititour.com Review
Rolin Jones’ “These Paper Bullets,” receiving its New York premiere at the Atlantic Theatre Company under Jackson Gay’s uneven direction, is the theatrical equivalent of the now popular “piecaken”: it puts together things that usually are served at separate sittings. And while this layer cake of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” Billy Joe Armstrong’s authentic-sounding faux-1960s tunes, and Monty Python silliness is often delicious, it can also be too much to eat at once and sometimes leave you feeling overstuffed rather than really satisfied.
Jones’ complex plot will be appreciated most by those who know the Bard’s source material. The sharp-tounged would-be lovers Ben and Bea, very well played here by Justin Kirk and Nicole Parker, are now respectively a member of a Beatles-like pop group cleverly named The Quartos and a celebrity fashion designer. Her model muse, the often drug-addled heiress Higgy (Ariana Venturi) falls in love with Ben’s bandmate Claude (Bryan Fenkart) and a wedding is soon planned.
But their big day, which includes an appearance by the Queen of England (the multitasking Christopher Geary), comes to screeching halt when Claude denounces his bride-to be. Why? Because he has been give fake photograph evidence of Higgy’s infidelity by the evil Don Best (Adam O’Byrne), the Quartos’ original drummer who was replaced by his brother Pedro (the appealing James Barry). Can all be made right? If you know “Much Ado,” you know the answer. (And even if you don’t, you do.)
Yep, it’s Shakespeare’s plot alright, along with some of his actual words. There’s even the whole Dogberry business, which is more amusing here than usual thanks to the some inspired physical schtick, the excellent Greg Stuhr as the bumbling detective, the equally fine Brad Heberlee and Tony Manna and his exasperated associates, and the very funny Andrew Musselman as the conniving reporter Boris, who helps Don Best in his nasty scheme.
Still, what I’d make the most ado about are the show’s wonderfully mod look (notably an excellent revolving set by Michael Yeargan and spot-on costumes by Jessica Ford) and the irresistible songs by Armstrong, best known as the front man for the great rock band Green Day. There about a half-dozen of them performed by the Quartos, and I’d be happy to have them on iTunes so I could hear them in my living room someday. I even think one or two could hit the top of the Billboard charts – with a bullet.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://atlantictheater.org/playevents/thesepaperbullets
Cast
James Barry, Stephen DeRosa, Bryan Fenkart, Christopher Geary, Brad Heberlee, Justin Kirk, Tony Manna, Andrew Musselman, Keira Naughton, Adam O'Byrne, Lucas Papaelias, Nicole Parker, Greg Stuhr, Ariana Venturi, Liz Wisan
Open/Close Dates
Opening 12/15/2015
Closing 1/10/2016
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 11/21/2015
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
866-811-4111
Theatre Info
Atlantic Theater Company/Linda Gross Theater
336 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
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