VJ Hume of CV Independent writes, “Dezart Performs’ ‘A Bright New Boise’ Is an excellent production that will leave your head full of questions.
“Directed by Michael Shaw, Dezart Performs’ artistic director, Boise features a cast of five romping through the script, and the high energy is amazing.
“The show at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club is fully professional, with lighting by the very accomplished Phil Murphy; set design from the famous Jimmy Cuomo; costumes by the great Frank Cazares; and extraordinary sound and sound effects by Clark Dugger.
“Eric Patrick Harper plays Will; he is a former Julliard student who brings a lovely clarity to his vocal skills. When he raises his voice near the end of the show, it will make your hair stand on end.
“Nicole Delsack plays Pauline, the manager of the Hobby Lobby, and she nearly steals the show with her cranky, ill-tempered portrayal of The Manager From Hell. She roars at everyone and attempts to lay down the law over and over again, and she is just so much fun to watch.
“Jacob Cherry plays Alex, the youngest member of the cast, though we were surprised to learn that he is old enough to be a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. He is very believable in his role, perfectly capturing a portrait of a confused teenager with his mind-changing and split-second-lasting opinions. He “thinks” he wants to be a rap musician?
“Lea Madda is Anna, a longtime Hobby Lobby employee; her smoothness in the role is partially explained by the fact that Madda has a master’s degree in acting from UCLA. She brings a maturity and a hopelessly stuck quality to her complex character, and has done a lot of thinking to bring Anna to life.
“Austin Minard plays the part of Leroy. He brings a big-brother feel to the play—and it is eventually revealed that he actually is Alex’s adopted brother. As the resident authority on paint color at Hobby Lobby, he knows his position is secure, and this gives him a lazy authority which he wields at his pleasure.
“A Bright New Boise is billed as a dark comedy, [as] there are not a lot of laughs. However, there are numerous interesting bits, including a speech by manager Pauline during which she reveals that she saved the Hobby Lobby from folding; Will’s ongoing struggles to create a blog; and the nuanced relationships between the characters.
“Dezart Performs has mounted a well-done production of A Bright New Boise—a play that guarantees you will leave the theater with a head full of questions.”
Photos by David A. Lee.
For the complete review, click here.