Catching a Wave

Wipeout

Three feisty, independent women-of-a-certain-age are bobbing around on surfboards in the Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Santa Cruz. Why? Well, Claudia has arranged something special and unique to share with her two closest friends on her birthday. It’s an event that all three ladies have always fantasized about, so why not? You see, at 60-something they’re about to take their first surfing lessons! Joining Claudia are her lifelong friends Wynn and Margaret, who’s been nicknamed “Gary.” As we meet the ladies they’re casually floating in the water, hoping to catch a wave, while awaiting the arrival of Blaze, their hunky young surfing instructor.

Claudia, always looking to expand her horizons, is the brains behind the trio. Quoting Malcolm X, she explains to their young surfing instructor, after asking what he wants to do with his life, that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” And that’s Claudia’s credo—to keep developing talents, learning new skills and fostering unique ideas that will take her and her friends into the future. And who knows what the next decade will hold? But Claudia knows that fostering new interests and cultivating the talents to explore and perfect them makes life exciting. 

Wynn is less enthusiastic about her life. She prefers things to be safe and sure. Wynn’s not big on dabbling in new experiences and has to be convinced that learning to surf can be a good idea and may even be fun. Wynn is also somewhat of a gossip. She’s a material girl and far more concerned with money and her appearance than anything as noble as high ideals and education. She’s been through several husbands and is in the process of another bitter divorce. Temporary fixes and immediate results are the only things that motivate Wynn to actually do anything.

Now, Gary is another story. She’s sarcastic, bawdy, has a mouth like a sailor and is a lot of fun. Gary is also in the grip of Alzheimer’s Disease or, at the very least, severe dementia. Some moments are good, especially when Gary remembers to take her meds; but filled with confusion, anger and misunderstanding, she often lashes out at her friends. Wynn hasn’t very much sympathy for her friend, but Claudia embraces the Gary she remembers from her schooldays. She also knows how important it is to be in the moment with her dear friend, and she remains Gary’s closest friend and companion.

But today the elderly ladies are (somewhat) united in a brand new adventure. Blaze drew the short straw and is having his patience tried as he attempts to teach the three friends the basics of surfing, helping them catch a wave and hang ten. Nineteen-year-old Blaze has his own backstory, much like his elderly students. However, it takes the combined efforts of Claudia, Wynn and Gary to get the young man to break down the walls from his past and talk about his life.

In this warm and wonderful world premiere one-act by Aurora Real de Asua, Rivendell’s talented Artistic Director, Tara Mallen, has crafted a powerful, often hilarious journey into what it means to be a real friend these days. She’s kept the action to a minimum, relying primarily upon Ms. de Asua’s natural characters and realistic dialogue. Where there is physicality, primarily swimming strokes, the talents of Devon De Mayo have been utilized as Movement Consultant. 

The simple but lovely blue set (designed by Caitlyn Girten), is made even more realistic by the extraordinary moving projections of surf and waves (created by the talented Andres Fiz), atmospheric lighting (by Mike Mahlum) and oceanic sounds (designed by Victoria Deiorio). Some cleverly created surfboards have been outfitted for the four actors. The act of honing one’s skills and taming the ocean for one’s pleasure becomes a metaphor. It also paints a beautiful picture of the play’s testament to the power and connections forged by women who’ve known each other, from childhood through adulthood.

The cast is superb. Starting with Celeste Williams, so brilliant in the Court Theatre’s delightful production of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, is magnificent here as Claudia. The actress embodies the term, “friendship.” She’s a confidant, a companion, sidekick and a soul mate. Every word, gesture and facial expression belongs to a real individual who truly loves and cares about her friends.

There’s also Wynn, portrayed by talented Rivendell Ensemble Member, Meg Thalken. It’s difficult to attend a show in Chicagoland without enjoying the wonderful Ms. Thalken. She’s been seen in such plays as THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, STEWS & CASSEROLES and FOUR PLACES, to name just a very few. In this exciting new play about the relationships of three women, Ms. Thalken brings out the snark while also providing many of the laughs.

And then there’s Gary. She is beautifully played by Chicago’s premiere character actress, the gifted Cindy Gold. Last enjoyed in the titular role of Steppenwolf’s incredible THE MOST SPECTACULARLY  LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON, Ms. Gold is, as always, remarkable. She captures the bi-polar persona of Gary, a character who dramatically shifts from giddy and goofy to grumpy and grouchy, at the splash of a wave. And there’s no holds barred in this performance. This is Cindy Gold as few have ever seen her in a performance and she alone is worth the trip to the intimate Ridge Avenue venue.

Last, but not least, is talented Glenn Obrero. He’s impressed audiences with his charm and talent in a variety of productions, such as SCIENTIFIC METHOD at Rivendell and THE CHINESE LADY at TimeLine Theatre. In WIPEOUT, Glenn plays Blaze, a young surfing instructor and phenom who, we learn, lives with his mother. His dad, who taught his son how to surf, has moved to Hawaii, where the ladies learn that Blaze would much rather be living and working. But until the young surfer encounters Claudia, Wynn and Gary, he doesn’t really think of relocating as a possibility. The ladies give Blaze hope for a new and better future.

Rivendell’s new season, collectively entitled “It’s Women’s Work,” opens with a terrific World Premiere production. WIPEOUT is about so much more than simply catching a wave and surfing, although the journey these women take to learn the sport is a metaphor. It cleverly mirrors the journey in life that people take and, at a certain age, reflect upon. The distance traveled, the people we meet and the experiences we glean make life a rich tapestry of wonder. Aurora Real de Asua sees that. She is a name to remember because I think she’s going to have a shining future as a brilliant, new playwright. And, as directed in this premiere by Rivendell’s masterful and intuitive Artistic Director, Tara Mallen, this is a production that all of Chicago will want to experience.           

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 23-April 6 by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5775 Ridge Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-334-7728 or by going to www.RivendellTheatre.org.

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