Original Music by Joshua Schmidt
Libretto by Jason Loewith & Joshua Schmidt
Based on the play The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice
Directed by Paul Melone
Steven Bergman, Music Director; David Connolly, Choreographer; Susan Xeeman Rogers, Scenic Design; Gail Astrid Buckley, Costumes; Jeff Adelberg, Lighting; Aaron Mack, Sound Design.
Cast: Brendan McNab (Mr. Zero), Amelia Broome (Mrs. Zero), Liz Hayes (Daisy Dorothea Devore), John Bambery (Shrdlu), Sean McGuirk (The Boss/The Fixer/Charles), Leigh Barrett (Mrs. One/Mae/Prisoner’s Wife), Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Two/Betty/Matron), Bob DeVivo (Mr. One/Prisoner), David Krinitt (Mr. Two/Prison Guard).
Presented by the Speakeasy Stage Company at the Calderwood Pavillion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston. Until April 10, 2010.
The Adding Machine starts its journey by introducing Mr. and Mrs. Zero, a typical couple living out the American dream. Only it has turned into a nightmare. She is a scold. He silently endures her hectoring, his life of quiet desperation being the best he can manage. At work he is a cipher, his job to tally an endless stream of numbers. He has no imagination, no drive, no hope. His sole source of pride is his spotless record of 25 years of perfect attendance, never being late, and it seems, never having made a mistake.
At work, Mr. Zero (Brendan McNab) is helped by Daisy, who for years has read the numbers to him as he writes them down. She is taken with him, but he is cold and rebuffs any real contact with her. After one attempt at human warmth he responds with “You thought wrong”. In the best song of the show, Daisy (Liz Hayes) sings “I’d Rather Watch You” as she heads home, alone, on the Subway.
On the day of his 25th Anniversary, Zero, instead of being promoted and thanked, is let go, with only a month’s notice. He will be replaced by an adding machine. Later that evening, at a “party” thrown by his wife, he is mocked and demeaned, and reveals that he was fired. “I killed the boss.” he adds matter of factly, “and am waiting for the police to arrive.”
Zero turns out to be a human being who has simply never thrived. He is a total failure in personal growth, fearful of anything but the safe and predictable. Worse he is also a small minded bigoted little cockroach. He wouldn’t take the initiative if it was handed to him on a silver platter.
The cast is uniformly excellent, with Amelia Broome as Mrs. Zero taking a star turn with her opening four minute solo “Something to be Proud Of,” which is close to being an operatic aria. Brendan McNab as Mr. Zero never failed to hit the right notes, especially in the “Ham ‘n’ Eggs” duet with his wife.
Leigh Barrett and Bob DeVivo played the cookie cutter Mr. & Mrs. One, while Cheryl McMahon and David Krinitt firmly held the roles of Mr & Mrs Two in check. Required to downplay the innocuous neighbors, they do it with class and subtlety.
Paul Melone’s direction keeps things moving briskly and fully utilizes the clever set. The checkerboard stage with stark lighting and frequent special effects make excellent use of the Speakeasy space. The slash in the stage floor which serves as the work space is used to great, even stunning effect.
The cast is uniformly excellent, with Amelia Broome as Mrs. Zero taking a star turn with her opening four minute solo “Something to be Proud Of,” which is close to being an operatic aria. Brendan McNab as Mr. Zero never failed to hit the right notes, especially in the “Ham ‘n’ Eggs” duet with his wife.
Leigh Barrett and Bob DeVivo played the cookie cutter Mr. & Mrs. One, while Cheryl McMahon and David Krinitt firmly held the roles of Mr & Mrs Two in check. Required to downplay the innocuous neighbors, they do it with class and subtlety.
Paul Melone’s direction keeps things moving briskly and fully utilizes the clever set. The checkerboard stage with stark lighting and frequent special effects make excellent use of the Speakeasy space. The slash in the stage floor which serves as the work space is used to great, even stunning effect.
For those who live in Boston this is a “must see.” For those in the Berkshires, gas up and check the oil. It’s worth making the trip. It is running through April 10.
FrozenHeartForever 