Buzzworks Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of INVASION OF THE MINNESOTA NORMALS written by Jen Ellison and directed by Melissa Denton.

Please note: Communists come thirsty for cocktails: Cordials and Lenin Squares are sold in the lobby by a bubbly 1950’s Stepford wife wearing a chin-strapped blonde wig. (I bet she’s packing an EZ Bake Oven)

To Sirk with Love: Poise, Turquoise and Secrets
A review by Craig Rafael Parish (3 out of 4 stars) A Must See

Think back to the day, where condoms came with cuff links. Filmmaker Douglas Sirk knew it well as re-imagined here in MINNESOTA. Beware the MMPI: The Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory Test that scored identity and social conformity by confining the parameters of thought for a ½ century or more. Somewhere between hope and despair lay the 1950s suburbs, where careers were defined by an isosceles office and by wives who faked Tupperware screams to give their husbands the confidence to face the morning commute.

But, who are the MINNESOTA NORMALS? Surprisingly, a rural focus group who slurped soup on the fringe of modern society — surveyed to set the right national tone. They were, in fact, the gatekeepers of acceptable urban behavior: Toothless tractor pulls who would count to six on one foot before “tannin’ their youngins’ hide fer eatin hair before sweets.” Yes, their prophetic drools were to shape the perimeters for success and failure as determined by corporations casting the fate of many modern marvels hungry to climb the social ladder. (And eventually hang themselves in the bathroom at McMann & Tate)

Jen Ellison’s tight script is bold and biting: smart with fangs dripping with lipstick. The cruelty is clear here: The difference between urban and suburban sophisticates circa 1956. Urbanites chased VIP tables, while sub-urbanites, embraced their sofa’s end tables. During the 50’s paranoia parade, the only elegant escape from the inner city (red) menace was to hide & shine in the suburbs. But soon the brown finger of fate pointed blame in black & white even there. The McCarthy mission was this – Divide thinkers from suckers.

Within this context, meet the McKinleys. Always seeking new ways to decorate their cage to better serve cocktails. Within the confines of this exquisitely claustrophobic set, the cast is a majestic painting in motion. Thus the play opens, on a damp Chicago night. Enter suburban house wife, Ruth McKinley (glossed numb by the excellent Deborah F. Reed) who is both exuberant & exhausted from her “Imitation of Life.”

Ruth is an impressive host seemingly devoted to her absentee husband but is surely getting more satisfaction from her Kirby upright vacuum (with attachments). As the guests arrive the action starts crackling, culminating in the arrival of two intrusive, yet seemingly innocent neighbors. The Jones’ are revealed to be former test subjects of a ‘Personality Test’ thanks to a leisurely parlor game turned crucifixion.

It is a game played by those so envious of the European ease of class; they feebly present a façade of grandeur. Stand-outs include Rich Hutchman (the embodiment of a sexy Fisher Price toy) as Walter portrays a frustrated man who would surely swallow your garage door clicker if invited to a “Key Party.” Between sniffs and giggles, another stand-out is actor Brad David Reed (Robert Jones) whose inner fetish fuels his curiosity for life. Robert is the worst kind of worker bee. He is a man who truly believes the hive will always provide.

Kudos to Troy Wilderson, Derrick McDaniel and Peter Carlin whose overall production design(s) present wonderful touches; elements of both mood and mayhem by way of haunting rain, random black-outs and visceral music. One distraction– An albatross of furniture (a velvet green elephant in the room) serves an early purpose but soon degenerates as a distraction hampering the cast’s ability to move with grace. Perhaps that’s intended, but what a waste of skirt flouncing. In a time where body language says everything, there seems to be a communication gap amongst the principals who are restricted to assuming position without purpose.

Don’t miss this six week limited run:

• March 13 thru April 19^th: Thurs, Fri and Sat
• The LOUNGE Theater 6201 Santa Monica Boulevard (Between Vine and El Centro) Hollywood, CA 90038
• Reservation line 1.323.960.5771
• Tix $25

***Buzzworks Theater Company was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1992. Since its move to Los Angeles in 1996, Buzzworks has produced 25 plays and continues to thrive in Silverlake, CA.

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