‘All Hail Hurricane Gordo’ dark but funny

By ROGER SMITH

April 30, 2008 04:40 pm

— CLEVELAND — Imagine, if you will, two early 20s brothers — just a couple of years apart in age — having been dropped off in a parking lot when they were young and being left to fend for themselves.
That’s the plot of “All Hail Hurricane Gordo,” running through Mother’s Day at the Cleveland Playhouse.
Gordo (the Hurricane) suffers from an unnamed social disorder which keeps him moving continuously, while the other (Chaz) has grown into a nerd-like character who runs the pig-sty of a house and takes care of his sibling.
Having sold most of their possessions and finding themselves short of funds, they decide to rent out a room in the house where they grew up. Enter (1) India, a young woman who was blessed with a caring father, but chose to run away from him. Enter (2) India’s father, a delightful character who very quickly came to understand the young men and their situation. Enter (3) the father’s friend, a non-Alice-in-Wonderland white rabbit named Bob. These zany characters, Bob excluded, just add to the craziness of the situation.
The printed program for “All Hail Hurricane Gordo” asks the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” One could certainly become philosophical about this show as it searches the reasons for behavior. Questions could be asked about survival as the caretaker brother decides to run away with India. However, I chose to see “All Hail Hurricane Gordo” as a delightful comedy about a tragic situation. There were many laughs, a few tears, and some schmaltz at the final curtain...
Undoubtedly, the actors in this production are talented beyond talent; they never missed a beat and kept up the pace of creepiness throughout the evening. The set looked pretty much like a room that had no cleaning attention for at least a decade, and the tonsorial splendor of the afflicted brother paralleled the tidiness of the room.
The script has the potential to be a really great community theater offering. Until then, it’s a pleasure to see it performed by professionals at The Cleveland Play House. Playgoers can make of it what they want: it can be ‘dark’ comedy or it can be a barrel of laughs. Your choice.
The show is written by Carly Mansch, an obviously bright new, young playwright, and is produced in association with Actors Theatre of Louisville. The final performance is May 11. Tickets can be ordered by phoning The Cleveland Play House at 216-795-7000, ext. 4, or on the web at www.clevelandplay

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