by David Wittstock
For a theatre known for modern, creative, and often bizarre production, "Love Horse" outdoes itself as the Washington Ensemble Theatre closes another great season.
"Love Horse" like the Ensemble's last production "Babs the Dodo" features the transformation of a man to animal or animal to man. Tanner is a serious and quiet man who "helps people remember" for a living. He goes into the same diner every night and orders granola, which is where he catches the eye of the waitress, Rita, who is drawn to, among other things, Tanners' powerful jaw and manner of chewing. The two fall in love, but break up when Tanner reacts strangely and violently to an intimate situation. Once Tanner loses Rita he begins a slow decline into depression leading him ultimately to a shocking personal revelation.
Adam Standley, last seen in "Titus" at WET, stars as Tanner and Emily Chisholm plays Tanner's love interest, the waitress, Rita. Ali el-Gassier and Alex Matthews are comic relief as Tanner's eccentric friends/co-workers George and Brodner. The cast is generally solid though not quite as memorable as some of the more recent casts who have played at WET. If anyone stands out it's probably either Matthews or James Weidman who plays the coked up dentist, Dr. LaGrange.
"Love Horse" is all about the energy that draws two people together and how that energy can extend in all sorts of strange, ridiculous, and beautiful ways. It's a bit low key and philosophical, overall, which isn't a bad thing; the production alternates well between scenes of meaning and comedy. Like most plays at WET, "Love Horse" is great modern theatre and well worth seeing.
"Love Horse" is playing at Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Avenue East, Seattle. April 29 - June 6, 2011, Thursday - Monday, 7:30pm. Written by Bryn Magnus. Directed by Makaela Pollock
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