Review by Sandi Durell
How does the world turn? No responsibility, just availability when seeking money and power means trampling on anyone in your path. Christopher B. Latro’s dark comedy at St. Luke’s Theatre is a cat and mouse game of one-upmanship filled with esoteric thoughts and words that challenge resulting in unexpected outcomes.
When young, somewhat nerdy, Ethan (Ethan Saks) applies for a job as the right hand (or slave might be a better word) to full-of-himself banker Angelo (Pedro Carmo), he’s prepared to do anything to advance himself to make money to assuage the needs of his me-me, hedonistic airhead girlfriend Marie (Becca Ballenger). Angelo is impressed with Ethan’s ambition and hires him.
In the mix is Angelo’s ex-girlfriend, high roller banker Gabrielle (Katrina Ferguson) who has also mastered the art of banter and game-playing as they circle in words and lust.
As Ethan emerges from living in terror (as Marie says), mastering the rules of the game, his life takes a 180 turn as he grabs for his own absolute creation having been tutored by the best of them – Angelo and Gabrielle.
Each performer has their own shining moment in a monologue spotlight that opens a window of enlightenment as the most unlikely turns of events occur. Director Anna Bamberger keeps the actors moving at a sharp pace producing even performances from all.
The contemporary 3-sided black-white-gray squared (with undetectable doors) walls serve as the set for a bar, an office, a living room, conceived by Lauren Mills. The high-fashion ladies costumes are noticeably sexy (by Michael Alan Stein). Jamie Roderick is responsible for lighting design and Sam Godin for sound.
Absolution plays at St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 West 46 St., in an open-ended run on Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 8 pm. And Saturdays at 2 pm www.absolutiontheplay.com www.stlukestheatre.com