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‘Rainbow Grille’ caps fine season for YSU theater
By STEPHANIE OTTEY
The current season at Youngstown State University Theater has been one of the best in years.
And partial credit has to go to Matthew Mazuroski, the theater department’s first-year faculty member, whose contributions are evident as director of season-closer “Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille.”
The acting and directing, as well as the lighting, costumes and sound design, are as flawless as the writing.
This “Rainbow Grille” is, in fact, a perfect example of what YSU theater should be. With Mazuroski and the students who have been so nicely showcased this season, the school could be on the verge of a golden age of theater.
The long title of Bruce Graham’s humorous, philosophical and poignant play also is its setting.
The Rainbow is a shabby oasis of normalcy in a small town that has been upended by an apocalypse. Strangers and regulars stop by to visit Shep, the bartender, and cling to what’s left of the lifestyle that was abruptly taken away from them.
The characters are slowly drawn through much of Act 1. The play at first seems to be Graham’s surmising on how different individuals would react in a desperate time.
Shep is the seemingly calm, mild-mannered bartender who is bent on killing himself. Played by Joe Pascarella, Shep is the constant, central figure of the show. At first, Pascarella comes across as being dry and vanilla, on the verge of dull. As Act 1 continues, however, the audience ends up caring for him.
In Act 2, Shep is transformed into a passionate, vibrant hero. Pascarella deserves applause for sneakily leading play- goers to such a surprising conclusion.
Patrick Hobby plays Roy, a mechanic turned looter. Hobby creates a Roy that is a sitcom dream come true, hanging somewhere between Screech of “Saved By the Bell” and Kramer of “Seinfeld.” His performance compels the audience to uproarious laughter, and his commitment to such a unique character is mesmerizing. Hobby is one to watch for.
Josh Fleming plays the unlikeable salesman Bullard, filling the role with a naturalness that makes the character sympathetic.
Jessica Schmidt creates a charmingly aggressive and jaded character in Shirley, chomping gum and scratching off the items on her bucket list.
Late in Act 1 we also meet Virginia, a teacher barrelling through desperation in an attempt to fix what is broken. Kayla Boye creates a complex character who is overly strong to mask her frailty.
Conor Bezeredi plays the all-knowing mystery man Joe. Bezeredi owns the character and balances the humor and poignancy of his role with ease.
“Rainbow Grille” will be presented tonight and April 12-15 at YSU’s Spotlight Arena Theater. Call 330-941-3105.