“gUnTOPIa”, Roustabouts Theatre original play by Will Cooper, one of the founding members of the Roustabouts, opened three years ago and immediately had to close because of Covid. “gUnTOPIa”, if you hadn’t already heard is a scathing satire about guns, family values, and the beliefs we have about the sanctity of a person’s worth, or not!
The play takes place sometime in the 50’s revolving around the Nelson family, a typical nuclear family with mother, father, daughter and son… all armed to the gills with guns of every size, shape and caliber. Anything unusual about that sight? According to them, no!
Daughter June and son Bobby are 'playing' with their guns when Bobby aims straight at his sister and shoots her dead. Unfortunately, Bobby didn’t have his safety on so he was reprimanded for being careless. ‘He always was an ace shot’. In the meantime, the police (Detective Rheingold) are called in to report a shooting to verify a body and call for it to be taken away. Bobby is sent to his room and the parents circle June without benefit of emotions.
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| Katie Karel and Phil Johnson |
The whole idea of a country being armed at birth is not only absurd but madness. Thankfully it's just a play with an idea. (For now) But here we are in 2023 where half the population is armed and the other half can purchase one if in the right place at the right time. I’m convinced it’s easier to purchase a weapon in some states, than it is to open some of my meds, so secure are they wrapped in hard core plastics.
Not one scene in the 95 minute play do we see a character without a gun, nor do we escape the sounds (Jon Fredette) of shooting from both Glocks or semi powered weapons al la used in battle as background sounds.
Thinking about these times I couldn’t help but think back to one of my favorite musicals, “Fiddler On The Roof” when Tevye sings to Chavaleh, “I don't understand what's happening today. Everything is all a blur”. It’s not that I don’t favor change, but this?
Just the idea that Cooper had to mention in his notes that “Americans who favor stronger firearms legislation is just over 50% though over 70% see gun violence as a ‘big problem’, is enough to make your skin crawl.
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| Phil Johnson and Katie Karel (front) Eben Rosenzweig, Walter Murray, Veronica Burgess and Elena Bertacchi |
With a dynamic cast starring Phil Johnson as Harry Nelson, Katie Karel as Mary Nelson, Elena Bertacchi as June/Alice and Eden Rosenzweig as Bobby, co -directors Rosina Reynolds and daughter Kate Rose Reynolds focus in with razor sharp accuracy the eccentricities of this family whose goal is to be the best sharpshooters, have most prizes for accuracy in shooting and excellence in each category.
While acting as your run of the mill family, they have good neighbors, and are respected in their community. But… with a sudden turn of events all bets are off and Johnson’s Harry has somewhat of a mind changing experience that turns the theme into a head scratcher and not for the worst.
Johnson, who was in the original cast, gives us a realistic view of how some parents can never stop being parents. On the other hand, Karel’s Mary is pretty much his opposite by trying to have another child to take the place of June, and Rosenzweig’s Bobby is a spoiled brat and manipulator from the start. Bertacchi’s June has a soft touch that singles her out from the rest of her family.
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| BackRow: Phil Johnson and Katie Karel Front: Eben Rosenzweig and Elena Bertacchi |
Support from Walter Murray as the Detective and neighbor Ed is interesting to watch as he goes through the motions of reporting dead bodies while in uniform and friendly neighbor Ed dressed the nines in hunting/ camouflage gear (no credit given for costume design) with a gun hanging everywhere. Veronica Burgess is Consuela, the social worker /mediator and yes, she is equipped with smaller guns tucked under her arms. It’s the law that everyone be armed.
Michelle Miles designed the lighting. Dan R. Cheatham II is listed as Armorer, Alyssa Kane is props designer, Tony Cucuzzella designed the 50’s looking set and Nathan Waits, set construction with Maya Aizenman acting as Stage Manager.
More from Cooper: “It’s truly a topsy-turvy world we live in, and I don’t want to accept it, and I don’t think any of us should.”
Check it out and see for yourselves.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through April 1.
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
Tickets: $45
Phone: (619) 568-5800
Photo: Daren Scott
Online: theroustabouts.org
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