Quick Hit Theater Review: Picked

Mark Blum and Michael Stahl-Davi​d. Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg.

Picked

By Christopher Shinn

Directed by Michael Wilson

Summary:

A young actor, Kevin (Michael Stahl-David) is “picked” by famous Hollywood director, John (Mark Blum) to star in his next project, a film that will feature the hero and an unseen villain being played by the same actor. John’s script will be created after studying neurological images of Kevin’s brain taken during their interview sessions. Kevin’s a little skeptical, but with the support of his girlfriend, Jen (Liz Stauber), he heads out to Hollywood where he starts to bond with the odd, but friendly director. Suddenly John tells Kevin that he’s brought another actor, Nick (Tom Lapinski) in to play the villain and suddenly life imitates art as unseen villains emerge in a rival for John’s and Jen’s attention, Kevin’s shot at fame and from deep down within as Kevin comes to terms with some deep-rooted demons from his past.

Highlights:

Nice performances and an interesting script. Blum makes the shallow John believable as well as likable. Stahl-David and Lapinski have a genuine rapport that comes through as their characters become friends and adds to the tension when one feel betrayed by the other. Wilson gives tight direction on Rachel Hauck’s sand-toned paneled set which makes a lot of use of a sectional sofa to define rooms. At one point a light pattern on the floor evokes images of motion pitcure film, as though the action in the lives of the characters is being captured for the big screen-- which it is (very clever).

Lowlights:

Some annoying incidental music (Jill BC DuBoff, sound design). The action loses momentum and the conclusion seems anticlimactic.

Information:

Picked plays at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th St., NYC through May 22, 2011.

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