Berkeley, CA certainly has made its mark in the theatre world for decades now, including Green Day's musical American Idiot at the Berkeley Repertory in 2009. And just next door at the Aurora Theatre, award winning productions from last year's Speech and Debate & Trouble in Mind are continually churned out by both companies. The Shotgun Players at the Ashby Stage is at least at par with the Equity houses of the Rep and the Aurora with its original productions, including the Salt Plays & the musical Beardo from the past 12 months.
However, Shotgun Players' current show, Care of Trees, is a mild disappointment compared to its shows the past year. Care of Trees is the fantastical tale and love-hate relationship between Georgia Swift (portrayed by Liz Sklar) and Travis DeKalb (Patrick Russell). The play written by E. Hunter Spreen and directed by Susannah Martin.
Sklar and Russell are nothing short of phenomenal in their performances displaying all facets and tools of their artistry. And when I say all facets for artistry, I mean all of it as Sklar, who's no stranger to nudity including in the independent film Imbue, briefly bares it all tastefully for the production.
Sklar is captivating as she dances, speaks, and jumps all across the stage. Her presentation of Georgia Swift, an architect, is easily one of the best performances this reviewer has seen over the past two years by any actress in California. Sklar embodies everything one would imagine her character should be - passionate, wise, and beautiful. She is truly remarkable in this role.
Russell is a perfect match as Travis DeKalb, an environmental lawyer; he chases, laughs and cries with absolute abandonment as DeKalb. His monologues are deliberate, precise, and heart warming. He brought out all the emotions in his potrayal of Travis.
The foundation of the story is clear enough with Georgia and Travis first meeting at an auction benefit or party and developing over several years while Georgia defends her father, a real estate mogul, against Travis' verbal attacks of her father's company. They soon fall in love and are married.
Problems arise when Georgia falls ill and finds out that she is becoming one with nature literally as a tree. Travis does all he can to try and save her but all for naught.
The script is swiftly paced and on several occasions had both actors simultaneously yelling or speaking with each other for many lines that it was quite difficult to understand what they were saying. The words seemed garbled during these times.
Meanwhile, the actors chased each other all over the building including in the lobby and worse through the backstage area where they spoke lines but could not be heard during these moments as it was simply drowned out by the backstage walls. It was a directional choice that could have been done differently.
As for Sklar's nudity, this reviewer supports thespians wholeheartedly and feels that it was not necessary. Sklar could have been in a body suit rather than being asked to be nude.
The stage is fantastic as usual from the imaginations of Nina Ball, but the lighting design by Lucas Krech had some rough moments, including on several occasions when either Travis or Georgia's stage right profiles were in the dark. The costumes were a delight, also by the fabulous Nina Ball.
Care of Trees performs Wed-Sun through June 26, 2010 at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703. Performances are on Wed @ 7pm; Thur-Sat @ 8 pm; and Sun @ 5pm. Ticket prices vary call 510-841-6500 or click on the links below. The show is rated Live Theatre 14: Contains brief, partial nudity; adult language and situations. Patron discretion is advised. It runs two hours and fifteen minutes, including intermission.
For more information and tickets, go to the company's website:
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