The second major flaw is a completely traditional ending that can be predicted within the first fifteen minutes of the show. The moral of the story in an adult fairy tale play - as opposed to in children's theater - has to have a punchline that still shocks a mature audience. In the case of Sir Sheever, the ending simply seems like a cop-out.
Aenigma, though the weaker of the two plays, at least wins style points for being a little more daring. Playwright Sean Gill injects some theory into the weirdness, and Klein’s direction is a little sharper. The play can’t maintain a sense of flow, and occasionally borders on incoherence, but the premise of incestuous sisters being woven into and out of reality by a master manipulator is certainly deeper into left field. Aenigma could use a few rewrites and maybe an extra scene or two to reach its optimal level. Sir Sheever, conversely, has probably peaked.
Something Weird...in the Red Room. Featuring Sir Sheever by Benjamin Spiro and Aenigma by Sean Gill. Directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein.
Sir Sheever stars Candy Bloise (Euripides), Ted Caine (Fredrick), Bret Haines (Ralph), Abigail Hawk (Eunice), Megan O'Connor (Miss Prissypants), Michael Porsche (Robert), and Kari Warchock (Miss Elise).
Aenigma stars Jillaine Gill (Diana), Bret Jaspers (Tad), Dasha Kittredge (Body Rock Crew), Christopher Loar (Body Rock Crew), Rob Richardson (Mr. Green), Claire A. Sansaricq (Body Rock Crew), and Elizabeth Stewart (Charlotte).
Something Weird...in the Red Room runs through October 31st, Tuesdays at 8 PM and Fridays at 10:30 PM at 85 E. 4th St. Tickets can be purchased online at SmartTix.
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