“A Steady Rain” Review by Rose Desena
This week in Theater
“A Steady Rain”
Written by Keith Huff
Review by Rose Desena
Present day Chicago
Two cops who grew up together on the very streets they once protected as partners go into details about a series of events that had no way to end but badly, very badly
A Steady Rain, written by Keith Huff, is a compelling drama that explores a lifelong friendship and what happens when poor judgment shatters your life like a broken mirror that’s been hit by a baseball bat.
There are a lot of cop stories, but Huff gives us one that digs into the souls of the audience, toying with your emotions like kittens exposed for the first time to a mouse. You switch between loathing, respecting and finally understanding both of these tormented characters. Joey (Thomas Vincent Kelly) couldn’t be any more different than his pal and partner Denny (Sal Viscuso). Joey is single and drinks alone at night in his dingy studio apartment with no responsibilities. Denny is married and regards family as if it’s more important to his existence than a beating heart.
However the streets of Chicago are hard on one’s psyche and both men feel the pressure as they try to survive on the sidewalks of their beat and inside their station. After being passed over for detective, Denny’s future actions are fueled by anger and mistrust. Joey is an innocent bystander in Denny’s wake of manipulation, corruption and infidelity that eventually leads to destruction. It’s so scary to think that a few bad decisions can end up being irreversible, the end of your well-packaged life.
Jeff Perry (Director) delivers the story exactly as Huff planned. He works his actors and the audience, successfully breaking the fourth wall. I was really pleased to see that Perry did not try to make this pretty; it is anything but that. As the story itself, the production is raw and hard, but is the best darn writing I have had the opportunity to experience in a while.
This is enthralling and will stick with you long after you leave the theater, like all good theater should.
There is nothing left to say, so get going to the Odyssey before this sells out. If you’re not completely blown away then please send me a comment so we can have a little talk.
Also please check out my Q and A with Mr. Perry. He is delightful and a joy to speak with.
“A Steady Rain”
Written by Keith Huff
Directed by Jeff Perry
Cast: Thomas Vincent Kelly and Sal Viscuso
Runs Feb. 22 – April 20
Wednesdays at 8 p.m.: March 19 and April 2 ONLY
Thursdays at 8 p.m.: March 27 and April 17 ONLY
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 18 (dark April 11)
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; April 5, 19 (dark April 12)
Sundays at 2 p.m.: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; April 6, 20
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90025
(310) 477-2055 ext. 2 or www.OdysseyTheatre.com
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