Renegades on the Run

Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon

A very funny, quirky, offbeat and totally unique musical comedy is playing at Lookingglass Theatre and it’s an absolute winner! With an unusual story and script, plus an original Country/Western score, both written by Artistic Associate, Matthew C. Yee (“Treasure Island,” “Moby Dick,” at Lookingglass Theatre) I can guarantee that theatergoers will not only laugh their faces off, but also delight in discovering a completely new theatrical experience.

Lucy and Charlie are First Generation Chinese-Americans who are so happy because they’ve just tied the knot. Ironically, the couple only met two weeks ago in a bar. That night, at an obnoxious bridal bachelorette party, Lucy has had enough. She punches the drunken bride-to-be in the mouth and then Lucy and Charlie bolt. While on the run, their relationship blossoms and, as the musical opens, the newlyweds are trying to determine where to go on their impromptu honeymoon. 

However, since the couple is flat broke, they decide to rob a gas station. Just as this Asian-American Bonnie and Clyde are about to holdup Davy, the confused convenience store cashier, they run into a problem. Charlie, who’s been sucking down an ice cold drink, experiences a brain freeze. The entire incident is recorded on CCTV and goes viral, so now the whole world is laughing at this bungled burglary and Charlie and Lucy’s notoriety becomes infamous. 

This pair of Asian Renegades, now on the run, continue their honeymoon road trip with the itsy-bitsy booty from their heist. Now here’s where the plot becomes even more curious, complicated and comic. Without giving away all the unexpected surprises that make this show so much fun, suffice it to say that the couple becomes involved with a young Chinese immigrant, named Bao, who’s trying to rescue her sister from a pair of thugs named Martin and Gabriel. 

In the meantime, Lucy and Charlie are being pursued by two law enforcement agents, Feinberg and Chan. Peter Chan, it turns out, is Charlie’s brother, making his involvement with the criminal case not only shameful, but pretty awkward. While the officious Ms. Feinberg is meeting her wife at a local bar for karaoke, Peter suspects his older brother may be hiding out at their revered Grandmother’s house, so he pays her a visit. Charlie and the mysterious girl seen on the video aren’t there; but Peter discovers through his Grandma and dorky Uncle Jeff that her #1 Grandson is going to their northern Wisconsin cottage. And so this riotous road trip continues with seven more individuals heading north, each of them somehow in pursuit of the dark side of the American Dream.

Matthew Yee’s writing is sharp, witty, filled with unexpected plot twists and contemporary references. The play is just plain adult fun. At times the offbeat humor reminded me of those old Bill Murray comedies; at other times I thought about such classics as “Midnight Run” and “Road Trip” and even “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” Not only a playwright, Yee also wrote the equally funny and sometimes fervent songs, that serve as a melodic separation and punctuation of the scenes. Matthew plays guitar and sings, along with his costar, the very talented, high-spirited and hilarious Aurora Adachi-Winter (“Lottery Day,” “Nightwatch,” at Goodman) as Lucy. In fact, everyone in this show sings and often accompanies themselves or other cast-mates. The titles of the songs and accompanying graphics are projected on a mounted LED screen, and sometimes even the lyrics appear, as well.

The supporting, mainly Asian-American ensemble cast is miraculous. Each actor brings so much personality, dry humor, skilled comic delivery and boundless energy to their respective roles, that it would be a crime to point out any single performance. They’re all special and a cache of comic fun. As Peter, Rammel Chan (“Tiger Style,” “Vietgone”at Writers Theatre) is earnest, sweetly nerdy and absolutely hilarious. The young man’s comic talents are on full display in this character. His work partner, Mary Williamson (“Twelfth Night,” at Writers Theatre), is deliciously droll as the officious Officer Feinberg. Ms. Williamson particularly shines during their “Streets of Laredo” karaoke performance, complete with staged gestures and choreography.

Wai Ching Ho (Steppenwolf’s “Bald Sisters”) is especially endearing and provides some of the play’s biggest laughs as Grandma. As Uncle Jeff, Daniel Lee Smith (Goodman’s “King of the Yees”) is offbeat and highly entertaining. He also portrays a bizarre, Frasier Crane-like radio psychiatrist. As the head bad guy, Doug Pawlik (“Once,” “Million Dollar Quartet”) is smooth, smarmy and superbly villainous as Martin. He’s equally hilarious earlier in the play as an airhead fast food server and as Davy, the confused convenience store clerk, whose day on the job is highlighted by a robbery. Gabriel, Martin’s incompetent new accomplice, on his first day of the job, is portrayed with dry humor by Matt Bittner (“Almost Famous, the Musical,” “School of Rock,” Broadway). And poor, innocent Chinese immigrant, Bao, who thinks she’s going to be working as a household domestic, like her sister, ends up embroiled in a complicated kidnapping plot. She’s played with zest and soulful conviction by Harmony Zhang.

The show is beautifully directed by Amanda Dehnert (“The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” “Eastland”). The production’s impeccably detailed Scenic Design is courtesy of Yu Shibagaki. It’s fun to scan the walls of this meticulously decked-out set, trying to spot all the weird and wacky paraphernalia that dress the stage. Marcella Barbeau has designed exquisite lighting that helps capture both the comedy and the drama of this play. Paul Deziel designed the Projections, frequently used during the songs and to help delineate the various scenes. And Sully Ratke has costumed the cast in clothes that are fun and fanciful, while helping to shed a little more light on each character.

Matthew C. Yee is highly successful in his first attempt at playwrighting. Kudos to Lookingglass Theatre for their continued encouragement of new playwrights, and for fostering new works and plays. This world premiere production is exceptionally funny, and sometimes even a little moving. The play does seem to run out of steam near the end of Act II, and it might play even better with about 15 minutes cut from the script.

 But it’s such a unique and one-of-a-kind play about a collection of quirky characters, mostly Chinese immigrants and Asian-Americans, trying to grab their own piece of the American Dream. It’s laced with a fun, folksy, country/western score, also written by the talented Mr. Yee. Skillfully directed by Amanda Dehnert, this premiere features a gifted ensemble of wonderful actors, all with impressive resumes that range from Chicago’s finest theaters to Broadway. As a hilarious, mature comedy that’ll provide a break in the Summer heat, theatergoers can’t go wrong with this marvelous, mirthful musical comedy.                  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 24-July 16 by Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-0665 or by going to www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.