*** Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Catch As Catch Can features brilliant acting, a gorgeous set, some very funny dialogue, and unfortunately, a very confusing story line. I kept trying and trying to figure out who was who and what was going on but eventually, I just gave up. 3 Spotlights
The central core to this play is that three actors are playing six parts. Ordinarily, an actor playing two parts wouldn’t be an issue. I’m used to that. In Catch As Catch Can, the actors change parts without costume changes or anything that would help the audience identify them.
The cast of Catch As Catch Can. Photo by Michael Brosilow
Nonetheless, all three of the cast members are superb in their roles, switching effortlessly from character to character – three parents and their adult children of the opposite sex. Gary Cole plays Roberta Lavecchia and her son Robbie. Audrey Francis plays Lon Lavecchia and his daughter Daniela. Tim Hopper plays Theresa Phelan and her son Tim. This seemed like a close-knit family – a family that I’d like to know.
I loved the opening scene, with Cole and Hopper discussing the peccadillos of Princess Diana and the royal family, they were definitely feminine – and very funny. In the next scene, which lasted seconds, we met Robbie and Daniela. Then without an obvious clue, we saw Roberta repairing Lon’s hem.
Gary Cole and Tim Hopper in Catch As Catch Can. Photo by Michael Brosilow
Getting ready for the holidays is always stressful but Roberta and Theresa want everything to be perfect because Tim was coming home. About this point in the play, there was an abrupt switch from a rather fun family comedy to a an angry drama about mental health. I think this was the last straw for me.
Catch As Catch Can, written by Mia Chung, premiered in 2018 in limited run Off-Off-Broadway. The Steppenwolf production is directed by Amy Morton.
Gary Cole and Audrey Francis in Catch As Catch Can. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Catch As Catch Can runs through July 12th in the Downstairs Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Self-parking is available in the Steppenwolf Garage, accessible parking in the lot north of Front Bar. Valet parking is also available.
Running time is one hour, 45 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm. NOTE: There will be no 7:30 pm performances on Friday June 19th (Juneteenth); Saturday, July 4th (Independence Day); or Tuesday, July 7th. There will be an additional 2:00 pm matinee Wednesday, July 1st; and an added 7:30 pm performance on Sunday, July 5th.
Accessible performances: Audio-described & touch tour, Sunday, June 28th at 3:00 pm (1:30 pm touch tour); Open-captioned, Thursday, June 25th at 7:30 pm & Saturday, July 11th at 3:00 pm; ASL-interpreted, Friday, July 10th at 7:30 pm.
Tickets range from $20-$120. FYI (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.