Survival Underground

Turret

Two men are living—make that surviving—in a deep, underground bunker. Apparently Green and Rabbit are the sole survivors of “the war that we lost,” but now there’s some sort of unknown danger lurking outside in this post-apocalyptic world. Both men are dressed for combat so our initial impression is that they’re members of the military. Eventually we learn the truth: Green is the father of (or at the very least, a father figure for) Rabbit. The younger man has lived his entire life in this reinforced, subterranean shelter, and Green has taken on the role of his commanding officer, parent and companion. Survival underground is nothing if not bleak, depressing and without much hope for the future. It’s also bewildering and perplexing for the audience.

Levi Holloway is a talented, respected and well-known Chicago-based playwright and director. He’s also an ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theatre, where several of his plays have premiered. His HAVEN, SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS and, especially, GREY HOUSE are works that have stayed with me, long after the final curtain. Mr. Holloway’s forte is writing plays filled with mystery and dread. Most often his stories are permeated by a lingering, unknown horror, a villain lying in wait. Like GREY HOUSE, shocking revelations take their time to tumble to the surface, but unlike that play, this drama is set, not in a haunted house, but in a dystopian future. In this world, the inhabitants of this imagined universe lead a wretched, fearful life.

Directed by Mr. Holloway with steady, measured pacing, this World Premiere effectively places the theatergoer deep inside a cramped, claustrophobic, two-level shelter. The gray room (another Grey House?), created by Scenic Designer Grant Sabin, is dominated by a gigantic, circular health club-like treadmill that’s accented with flashing lights. A special headgear is connected to the exercise machine that’s worn by the jogger. In addition, the room features a small table and two old kitchen chairs, a raggedy easy chair, an upright piano, a sink and some kind of water cooler that dispenses a mysterious, cloudy white beverage.   

In the room’s upper level there’s a high tech computer system that’s used for a variety of tasks. Among the many perks of this device, it can transfer the screen images into projections focused on the ceiling. In order for Green or Rabbit to be able to leave the safety of the bunker, a secret code is punched into the door locks, a huge wheel has to be turned and then the men can leave the safety of the bunker. They must always don gas masks, protective gear and carry a weapon, just in case. 

As the play unfolds, days and months pass slowly over the next two-plus-hours. During this time we observe the men’s close relationship gradually change and evolve. Each day is an endless loop of sameness. Green assigns daily chores for Rabbit to complete, and then spends most of the day monitoring the environment through the computer camera. But Green has privately made contact with another human being named Birdy. He invites the refugee to join Rabbit and himself in the safety of their underground bunker. When Birdy joins them, the tense but tenacious dynamics between Green and Rabbit are challenged. An entirely new and different alliance begins to develop between the three men that’s fraught with possible danger uncertainty.

As always, A Red Orchid Theatre has cast only the finest actors for this production. Michael Shannon, a founding ensemble member of this theatre company, has both directed many a production and appeared on their stage. This talented, much-acclaimed actor has been seen on possibly every stage in Chicago. He’s also performed in New York City (where he now resides), and is a familiar face in dozens of feature films, such as “Knives Out” and “The Shape of Water.” Here, he effortlessly portrays Green, a man who’s determined to keep some semblance of civilization alive. Green is weary, but he’s focused on a goal to maintain discipline and some kind of normalcy, after a war that’s decimated the world’s population. 

Green has taken Rabbit, who may or may not actually be his biological son, and raised him from a child to a young, capable adult. Rabbit is beautifully played by another gifted ensemble member of A Red Orchid, Associate Artistic Director, Travis A. Knight. Also a talented young director, Mr. Knight has impressed audiences in his many stage appearances, including this company’s productions of SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS and GREY HOUSE. Like Mr. Shannon, Travis has appeared at just about every theatre in Chicago, while also doing his share of film and TV work. As Rabbit, Mr. Knight is simply terrific. His performance is captivating and appealing. This brilliant actor easily makes the shift from heavy dramatic moments to unexpected comic scenes in a heartbeat. For my money, Travis A. Knight is the soul of this production.

As Birdy, yet another company ensemble member takes the stage in the smaller of the three roles. Lawrence Grimm also appeared in A Red Orchid Theatre’s SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS, among several other productions. He, too has been seen all over Chicagoland, including the Marriott’s recent production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL. Mr. Grimm portrays the somewhat eccentric, shellshocked Birdy, with a  particular feistiness and fervor. The actor makes the audience empathize with his character’s trauma and loneliness, experienced over months and years. We marvel at his ability to have survived on his own and feel grateful that, at long last, he’ll have some companions with whom to share his situation. Until that changes.

Performed upstairs at The Chopin Theatre, partly because of the  vastness and versatility of the space, and partly because the venue can accommodate a larger audience, this is an unusual venture for A Red Orchid Theatre. In addition to its brilliant playwright/director, and a cast of three gifted, experienced actors, this show is a technical marvel. Grant Sabin’s detailed and eye-popping Scenic Design grabs the audience from the first moment. Mike Durst, Paul Deziel and Jeffrey Levin embellish this environment with their expertise creating effective Lighting, Projection and Sound Designs. Props become so important in this play and Rowan Doe’s work hits the mark, particularly his creation of the men’s pet cat. And kudos to Costume Designer Myron Elliott for his precise work in this play, especially in the final scene.

This is a play that moves very slowly, often creating the feeling that it’s happening in real time. The audience experiences the sensation of an endless cycle of sameness that each day underground presents to these characters. When some minute change in the status quo appears, it takes on monumental importance. While I personally prefer Levi Holloway’s terrifying GREY HOUSE, and hope that A Red Orchid will revive it in the near future, his new play about survival underground offers a quiet, foreboding and omnipresent feeling of terror that’s hard to shake.                

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 12-June 9 by A Red Orchid Theatre at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door, by going to www.aredorchidtheatre.org. or by calling the Chopin box office at 312-943-8722.

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