NEW YORK—An exhilarating experience from start to finish (with barely a word of dialogue), Fuerzabruta ( Brute Force ) combines the atmosphere of a rock concert with elements of an acrobatic exhibition, strong social commentary, Charlie Chaplinesque silliness, and breathtaking spectacle.
In the course of 70 minutes, the audience is treated to such sights as a man running on a sort of conveyor belt/treadmill, passing people who leap on in front of him and then fall off behind in a sort of slapstick ballet, two women chasing each other in an eternal dance that takes place in mid-air as they're hurled around the theatre via wires, and actors swimming and sliding in a huge tank, (which feels a bit like plastic), which has been lowered from above till it's almost on top of those watching.
Interesting to be sure, but what makes this work really stand out is the hi-octane energy of the cast, the strong and sometimes pounding music (by composer Gaby Kerpel), and the fact that the audience is right in the thick of the action. With all the seats having been removed from the theatre, patrons are ushered into an immense, empty space and instructed to move this way and that during the show as objects appear from the sides and above, often quite literally enveloping spectators in what is unfolding before their eyes.
A running theme throughout seems to be a struggle against conformity, as evidenced by the endless racing on the treadmill with the man running faster and faster, bursting through obstacles in his path. There are also continual elements of people seeking something, trying to reach a goal, or needing something new or different to believe in. Creator Diqui James seems to be saying that while the outcome of such efforts may be in doubt, it's the struggle itself and the need behind it that's really important.
The entire cast (Freddy Bosche, Hallie Bulleit, Daniel Case, Michael Hollick, Joshua Kobak, Gwyneth Larsen, Tamara Levinson, Rose Mallare, Brooke Miyasaki, Jon Morris, Jason Novak, Marilyn Ortiz and Kepani Salgado-Ramos) is excellent; and the various technical elements: lighting (by Ed Pampn), sound (Herman Nupieri), costumes (Andrea Mattio) and automation (Alberto Figuerias) all meld together perfectly to bring forth a spectacle that is both thrilling and unique.
Fuerzabruta
Daryl Roth Theatre
20 Union Square East at 15th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharage.com
Running Time: 70 Minutes
Closes: June 2008
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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