REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
The Minutes by Tracy Letts is a sharp, dark, and quite frightening comedy that explores small-town politics, secrets, and the unsettling history lurking beneath the surface. Set in modern times in the fictional town of Big Cherry, the play takes place entirely within a city council meeting room. With a superb cast of many well-known local actors, Stray Cat's Arizona premiere of the Tony-nominated play is excellent.
Letts masterfully builds suspense and intrigue, keeping the audience engaged until the final, jaw-dropping moments. The characters he has created are as diverse as they are memorable–anyone who has ever attended a local council meeting (or perhaps a meeting of their homeowner's association) will feel the authenticity in the interplay between the characters as they navigate bureaucracy, personal interests, and the darker implications of their decisions.
Under Louis Farber's crisp direction, the actors shine with performances that are a perfect blend of realism and biting comedy, playing out beautifully on Tianna Torrilhon-Wood's realistic set design. As Mr. Peel, the relatively new council member who serves as the audience's entry point into the story, Tony Latham is the perfect embodiment of the "every man" archetype. Peel's questions slowly unravel deeper issues, and Latham's body language and expressions perfectly evoke his outsider perspective and inquisitive nature. As the questions that Peel asks slowly unravel the town's deeper issues, Latham's body language and expressions perfectly evoke his outsider perspective and inquisitive nature.
This contrasts sharply with the more seasoned and argumentative council members, including Ron May as Mayor Superba, the authoritative figurehead who projects an air of calm control but is clearly hiding something beneath his polished exterior, and Rob Stuart as Mr. Assalone and Johnny Kalita as Mr. Breeding. May, Stuart, and Kalita are perfect as these three men who believe themselves above it all and that their views are always correct.
Good work is also done by the rest of the cast, including Tim Shawver and Tanner J. Conley as two warm but somewhat self-serving members of the board, David Weiss and Katie Mcfadzen as the two oldest members on the board who either speak a lot but say very little or find their memory failing, and Michelle Luz as the overly self-medicated woman who is often confused. Kate Haas is warm and cheery as the board secretary and Chris Mascarelli is excellent as the member who has resigned; his monologue is intense, chilling and gripping.
Letts' script is full of wit and biting commentary on power, tradition, and how history is remembered or even rewritten. The Minutes is a gripping and thought-provoking play that blends political satire with intense drama. With a cast more than capable of handling the play's complex characters, and impressive creative elements, Stray Cat's production provides a compelling look at the way communities deal with their pasts and the lengths they'll go to in order to protect their legacies.