STRAY CAT’S “YEAR OF THE ROOSTER” IS AN OFF-CENTER WINNER

Sunday, December 7, 2014
KBAQ Radio, Curtain Up Phoenix

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS



Stray Cat Theatre comes up with another off-center winner in the hysterical “dark” comedy “Year of the Rooster” by Eric Dufault. Unlike most local theaters that do holiday shows during December, “Year of the Rooster” is certainly not a show in that genre as it tackles Gil Pepper’s mundane and uninteresting life...a bizarre comedy that leaves audiences guffawing wildly.



As always in Stray Cat production’s, staging, this time by Michael Peck, allows both the company’s artistic and associate directors, Ron May and Louis Farber, to star in the zippy production. May plays Pepper with understated but pointedly sly humor while Farber successfully tackles the double role of Dickie Thimble who eggs Pepper on and Bat-Dolphin, Odie’s prime opponent. The pair couldn’t be better and Austin Kiehle (Keel) is a hoot as Odie, the head-bobbing rooster. Kiehle is masterful impersonating the driven-to-win rooster.



More brightly comic supporting performances come from Kadie McFadzen as Pepper’s weird 70-year-old mother, Lou, and Osiris Cuen in the double role of Philepa (Phil e pa), Pepper’s wacko McDonald’s co-clerk, and Lucky Lady who is involved in an unusual way with the rooster fights.



Peck’s rapid-fire, split-second comic timing staging makes “Year of the Rooster” the wildly funny black comedy it must become to work. There isn’t a misstep anywhere in “Year of the Rooster” but be warned that if you shy away from off-center, terribly bleak black comedies, “Year of the Rooster” isn’t for you. If bizarre humor tickles your fancy and if you aren’t obsessed with seeing a holiday season tribute, “Year of the Rooster” is a refreshing alternative and earns five stars out of five. It continues through December 20.



Grade: A



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YEAR OF THE ROOSTER