Review: Viagra Falls
A review by Bradley Troll
No chemical enhancement was needed to rouse the audience during JPAS's season opener of Viagra Falls by Joao Machado and Lou Cutell. With one-liner after one-liner, there is barely time to marvel at the amount of puns that can be made from the most taboo topic of the male anatomy. Though somewhat gimmicky, the actors sustain the two-hour play, and the surprising sentiment beneath the humor keeps the show from going flaccid.
Charley and Moe have been best friends for most of their lives. Now in their twilight, the two widowers spend lonely days chatting with each other or feeding the birds at the park. That is, at least, until the morning of his 77th birthday when Charley gets some unpleasant news concerning Moe's health. Determined to give Moe one final "bang," Charley enlists the help of a certain adult website he frequents that specializes in providing "company" to elderly gentleman, and, along with a certain little blue pill, hijinks ensue.
Machado and Cutell's script borders on farce but lacks the energy to really take it to such a hysterical level. The vast majority of the script is, for lack of a better term, "prick schtick." Pun after pun after pun seem to challenge even seasoned actors Dane Rhodes (Charley) and David Jacobs (Moe). Since the real action of the play doesn't begin until Act Two, the two actors are given the burden of keeping interesting what is not much more than a stand-up act. That may be why at times in Act One the rhythm and energy feels a bit off. Once Cindy Marinangel enters as the perky escort Jacqueline, the play begins to take some real shape. And though we are still stuck with a lot of cliche (dirty old men and hookers with a heart of gold), the ensemble finds some lovely moments of humanity and celebration of a "beautiful, wonderful, tawdry-smelling life."
T. J. Castronovo's direction seems to be concentrated on making three-dimensional characters where the script provides only stereotypes. For the most part, this is a successful move. Rhodes and Jacobs, in speaking small monologues to their deceased wives, create some subtle moments despite the terrible material they were given. However, some of Castronovo's blocking is uncomfortably forced, though it must be hard to direct farce-style dialogue in a play where the characters do little more than sit on a couch.
But make no mistake, the audience relishes in the off-color humor and stays laughing from beginning to end. The relationship created by Rhodes and Jacobs rings true and keeps the forward momentum that the script lacks. Cindy Marinangel, especially in her more heartfelt moments, is an irresistible working gal. Her talents (and I don't mean the ones that Moe can't stop looking at) are a welcome addition to the New Orleans theatre scene. She shimmies seamlessly from comedic to serious.
From the little blue surprises on the cafe tables to the below-the-belt humor on stage and the final twist just before curtain, JPAS's Viagra Falls promises a light-hearted, though "stimulating," evening of entertainment. Though the script problems are a bit hard to swallow, this play is one pill that lives "up" to its promises.
Viagra Falls runs through October 18. Tickets can be reserved by calling (504) 885-2000 or visiting www.jpas.org.