Gone Missing - New York

The Civilians
August 1, 2007

Thought I would make a few ad hoc posts via very limited and slow (dial up) internet access from the east coast.

I sought out the Civilians in New York after reading about them in American Theatre and also hearing comparisons made to our own Sojourn Theatre. If only. This show was very disappointing – an example of the occupational hazards involved with making documentary style theatre without a strong artistic hand on the helm.

$50 got us 75 minutes of occasionally related jump cuts - long sections from interviews the Civilians conducted with New Yorkers on things they lost. Several actors were excellent, and there were a few funny moments.

However, almost nothing new here, from the “you talkin’ to me” New York cop, to the ditzy movie biz girl, mad professor, etc. I was surprised by how mild and frivolous this felt – Broadway lite? Maybe I misunderstood who the Civilians are, but this was just diversionary filler of the gentlest kind.

The problem with getting fixated on reality is a lack of editing and focus. The ensemble here seemed more intent on giving free reign to their interviews regardless of whether what was said was interesting. You could feel the earnest desire to “accurately represent exactly what they said” – but frankly, if it’s not any good, who cares how accurate it is? A recording device is just a tool. It should support – not run – your vision.

A pronounced lack of artistic intention very much in evidence here. Several moments of strong obscenity felt out of place in the larger piece. But again, that’s what the interviewees said, so…what can you do? I can get that on the subway platform for free.

Inevitably, they did some singing. Not lots, but some. Again the issue of intent nagged at me. It felt like someone decided to throw a few songs in here and there because – hey, why not? We’ve got a band and the gear. Meanwhile, if copyright laws get any stronger, the composer may be getting a letter from Ben Folds’s legal department. Several songs were completely derivative to an embarrassing degree.

Worst of all, I discovered (afterwards) that the show is a retread – it opened originally in 2001. All in all, thoroughly uninspiring, run of the mill stuff - miles away from the cutting edge voice of New York I was expecting. But I guess it’s a cash cow, so I hope it will support more exciting, ambitious projects, such as their upcoming piece about evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs.

In the lobby of the Barrow Street Theatre was a billboard-sized blowup of a rave review by Charles Isherwood. Weird!