Quick Hit Theater Review: Some of Our Parts

Mary Theresa Archbold (Ginger), Anita Hollander (Rose) and Tiffan Borelli (Gorgeous) in Bekah Brunstetter's GORGEOUS, part of Theater Breaking Through Barriers' SOME OF OUR PARTS at the Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Some of Our Parts
Seven 10-Minute Plays About Disability
By Bekah Brunstetter, Samuel D. Hunter, Neil LaBute, Kate Moira Ryan, Diana Son, Jeff Tabnick and Emily Chadick Weiss
Directed by Nicholas Viselli, Christina Roussos, Ike Schambelan, Kimothy Cruse
Presented by Theater Breaking Through Barriers

Summary:
Seven plays looking at life with disability, linked by Kate Moira Ryan's "Casting Call" sketch where TBTB members try and fail to get members of their company cast in productions of plays featuring characters with disabilities. Seems most shows would rather cast actors without disabilities to play disabled characters, even if an actor with the same kind of disability is available. The presentation includes the world premiere of LaBute's short "Cripples,"  directed by Ike Schambelan, TBTB artistic director and founder.

Highlights:
The renowned Off-Broadway company known for its productions that integrate
able-bodied actors with artists with disabilities isn't afraid to delve into subject matter that might be considered tabu. Most of the short sketches provide thoughtful insight into what it is like to live with, or be affected by someone who has a disability. Funny, truthful and moving, in particular, are the linking phone calls where other production companies give a long list of reasons why they won't even let a disabled actor read for a part. We know, unfortunately, these have to be based on real conversations.

Most of the sketches are realistic as well (with the exception of "The Big Payback" by Tabnick, which meanders into the macabre and deals with a different kind of disability). Particularly good are "Blind Date" by Diane Son, directed by Kimothy Cruse) in which Walter (a very good Aiden Fulcomer) hides his disability from online-dating match Sarah (Pamela Sabaugh) and "Gorgeous" by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Christina Roussos, where disabled Ginger (Mary Theresa Archbold) and Rose (Anita Hollander) discover that they might be a lot better adjusted than the weight-and-beauty-obsessed gorgeous woman (Tiffan Birelli) they feel intimidated by in their gym locker room.

Lowlights:
Lots of language. Far more than seems proportional for the 75-minute show. "Welcome to Walmart" by Samuel D. Hunter includes lot of good insight, but seems a dig at the department store chain as much as a statement about difficulties encountered by disabled folks in the workplace. LaBute's "Cripples" explores the idea of three older men becoming emotional cripples, but seems to exploit the details of one's sexual encounter with a woman with no legs for uncomfortable laughs.

Information:
Some of Our Parts plays through June 30 at the Clurman Theatre, 410 West 42nd St., NYC. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 pm; Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm; Sunday at 3 pm. For information and tickets, visit http://www.tbtb.org/.

Theater Breaking Through Barriers, formerly Theater by the Blind, was founded in 1979. The company's mission is to change the image of people with disabilities from one of dependence to independence, to fight stereotypes and misperceptions associated with disability, and to show how vibrant, fluid and exuberant the work of artists with disabilities can be.

Christians might also like to know:
Language
Homosexuality mentioned
Sexual dialogue
God's name taken in vain