boom at Attic Salt Theatre Co.
Back in March 2020, the Attic Salt Theatre Company was in rehearsal mode for Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s boom. Given that the play is a comedy about the end of the world, it couldn’t have been more timely.
Fast forward to now and, under Jeff Catanese’s direction, the production goes on. The story centers on Jo (Gabby Bailey) responding to a personal ad seeking “intensely meaningful coupling,” as the ad’s author Jules (Kevin May, in his first show outside of Mars Hill University) words it. The two meet and, while awkwardly trying to avoid actually going through with aforementioned coupling, Jules reveals a theory: he thinks a comet is about to crash into Earth and wipe out life as we know it. But the play also has a twist in the form of the mysterious Barbara (Christy Montesdeoca, in full unhinged, Midwestern glory), who stands behind a control board next to the stage and watches with glee.
It all takes place in the surprisingly effective single location of Jules’ basement apartment — which also just so happens to be a campus biology lab, the best Jules can do for housing on his meager stipend. He’s got his tank of fish he’s spent four years studying, as well as graphs and charts covering the walls. May delivers a line about it once being used as a bomb shelter, and the small stage absolutely serves the claustrophobic feeling of being stuck on a bad first date.
Completing the sense of place is McKinney Gough’s excellent costuming work, which only gets better as the play goes on and the effects of Jules and Jo being stuck together are comically reflected via their wardrobes, with dirt and a makeshift cast forged from duct tape becoming parts of their outfits.
Without getting into spoilers, just know that there are many points where the audience can’t help but cackle. To quote Catanese in his post-show talk back session, “If you don’t laugh about the current state of the world, you’d have to cry.” And it’s true, because there are so many jokes that hit just right in this current world that may not have been as effective two years ago.
I will say, I did feel like some of Bailey’s actions were a touch overly animated, but the moments of fear and indecision when Jo faces the end of the world are so subtle and wonderful, and Bailey’s physicality for so many parts are spot on, all of which makes for a nice balance. And May absolutely nails the awkward marine biologist role, especially considering this is his first role with the company. However, my biggest takeaway is that if you sit in the front row, be prepared to have Montesdeoca in your face, delivering one hilarious monologue after another.
boom runs through Sunday, May 15, at Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space. For details and tickets, visit atticsalt.org.
(Photo by Rodney Smith)
