COCK: Drama. Written by Michael Bartlett. Directed by Stephen RupschNew Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC), Walker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave @Market, San Francisco, CA 94102. 415-861-8972, boxoffice@nctcsf.org.
September 5 – October 12, 2014
COCK (Fight) given a “should see” performance at NCTC . [rating:4]
When you attend New Conservatory Theatre Center’s latest show you will be in for four rewards and one disappointment. The four rewards are a first look at the new marvelous configuration of the intimate Walker Theatre, an extremely well written/thoughtful play, fine acting by an attractive cast and simplistic/ingenious direction. It is an engrossing 90 minute evening that is marred by failure of the actors to project thus many of the lines never leave center stage. That fact has been relayed to Artistic Director Ed Decker by members of the audience and will certainly be corrected.
First, disregard the salacious street vernacular of the title Cock. With even a little bit of imagination that meaning could be worked into the discussion of this play since one of the characters does not have one. But that is getting ahead of the story. Decker has allowed the resident set designer Devin Kasper, with concurrence of director Stephen Rupsch to reshape the space into a black-box with the seating on all sides. The title of the play refers to an emotional battle between the protagonists that is a bitter cock fight. The acting area is a sand covered arena for the battle.
l-r: Radhika Rao, Stephen McFarland, Matt Weimer, Todd Pivetti. Photo by Lois Tema.
That battle is between the trio of John (Stephen) and M (for male, Todd Pivetti) and W (for Woman Radhika Rao) with F (for Father Matt Weimer) thrown in as a ringer. John is having a homosexual identity crisis and might possibly be bi-sexual. John has met and sexually enjoyed a new experience with W while still professing love for M. There are no new insights into the internal conflicts of John but author Bartlett has entwined the territorial rights of W with those of M keeping the audience interested in the outcome.
Stephen McFarland as the conflicted John turns in a superb performance with Todd Pivetti as a sounding board for the professed justifications. M is not about to give up his territorial rights. Radhika Rao handles the most difficult role of W with strength and gives a convincing portrayal earning empathy from the audience. Matt Weimer as F gives a convincing and professional performance in his brief time in the cock fighting ring.
Cast: Stephen McFarland, Todd Pivetti, Radhika Rao, and Matt Weimer.
Production Team: Scenic design by Devin Kasper, lighting design by Christian Mejia, costume Design by Michelle Mulholland, Sound Design by James Ard, Dialect Coaching by Patricia Reynoso, Stage Management by Vanessa Ramo.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com.
