Playwright: Daniel Janoff. At: Collaboraction at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. Phone: 773-327-5252; $18-$25
Runs through: Sept. 21. Photo by Kirstie Shanley
Daniel Janoff is a successful writer but a newcomer to theater. In Heroes and Villains he makes mistakes common to inexperienced playwrights, yet holds interest with quirky but appealing characters and a touch of mystery.
At heart a love story, it's set in a small scenic lake town where thirtysomething beauty salon owner Rhett Benton ( Peter Defaria ) and thirtysomething Sunshine Merritt ( Wendy Weber ) fall for each other even though she's come to cancel Rhett's dad's pension. Chuck Benton is an aging body-builder reluctant to demonstrate the feats of strength which made him famous, especially the superhuman 1983 incident in which he pushed a speeding truck off the road to save a stalled automobile. National media declared Chuck a superhero, crowds flocked town, tourism grew and the local economy prospered. But what really happened 25 years ago? It's of particular importance to Wendy, a woman not given to articles of faith; yet her unexpected relationship with Rhett depends on her willingness to believe, or Chuck's willingness to prove his case.
The play's strongest moments are the Rhett-Wendy scenes, which are extraordinarily unfancy but written carefully, quietly and playfully, thereby allowing the audience to take pleasure in the attraction so obviously unfolding. Defaria and Weber amplify the understated words with wonderful body language, as if drawn to each other magnetically. Director Anthony Moseley has guided them well; they are the heart of Heroes and Villains.
As to the rest, well, Janoff puts a lot on the table and leaves most of it. For example, he suggests that Rhett is a super-human beautician who instinctively transforms women with hairstyles that unlock their inner potential and happiness. It's a wonderful idea—especially in contrast to the conventional muscular super-heroism of Rhett's dad—but Janoff doesn't develop it. He also has four secondary characters who have little or nothing to do. In theater, where every actor is a weekly salary, you use 'em or lose 'em. Janoff must make them important to the story. The setting, too, is underdeveloped. Janey's Beauty Salon by day becomes Janey's Saloon at night as booze bottles replace shampoo bottles. Fun idea, but Janoff doesn't use it to any purpose so why bother setting it up?
Tall Danny Goldring looks even taller as the strong, mostly silent Chuck Benton, wearing costume designer Aly Greaves' muscle-padded jeans and flannel shirts. One wants his role enlarged, especially since Janoff never gives a definitive answer about the superhero thing. Freshly clean-shaven Richard Cotovsky was shaky on opening night in the major supporting role, having replaced an ailing actor on short notice, but his chops will be fine when he settles in.
If Janoff can build on what he's begun, Heroes and Villains could have a future.