**** Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Fool For Love is a perfect gem. It has more angst packed into 68 minutes than you’ll find in plays far longer. Although younger audiences might not be familiar with Sam Shepard, his work stands the test of time. It’s intense, gripping and great theater! 4 Spotlights
Fool For Love is set in a run-down motel somewhere in the Mojave Desert. By the way, Todd Rosenthal’s set looks exactly like a motel I remember staying in somewhere on Route 66 in the late ‘60s.
In the absence of a closet, world-weary May (Caroline Neff), who’s living in the motel, keeps all of her things in the bathroom. One hot night, Eddie (Nick Gehlfuss), an old flame – or is he – shows up to ask May to come back to him but she doesn’t trust him because he’s done this before. She informs him that she lives here now, has a job, and no intention of leaving. Finally, she informs Eddie that she has a date and needs to get ready. Eddie isn’t willing to give up, however, so he just keeps trying.
Although they haven’t been together in a long time, there’s obviously a lot of history there. As they start arguing, that history is revealed a little bit at a time. Meanwhile, off to the side of the stage, The Old Man (Tim Hopper) offers his own take on the May-Eddie stand-off. When Eddie stands in the doorway, someone takes a couple of shots at him.
Just then Martin (Cliff Chamberlain) walks in, thinks May is in trouble, and knocks Eddie down. May intervenes, and introduces the two men. Martin wonders if that pick-up outside belongs to Eddie because someone shot out the windshield.
Poor hapless Martin had no idea what he was walking into as both May and Eddie start telling stories. Eventually, Eddie tells a story about falling in love with his half-sister – that he didn’t know was his half-sister. Meanwhile, The Old Man explains that he led a double life with two families, but because he was a drunk, he abandoned both. May and Eddie started dating in high school, eventually becoming lovers - until their parents found out.
There’s way more to the story, but you need to see this play for yourself. The cast is amazing!
Sam Shepard’s Fool For Love premiered in 1983 at San Francisco’s Magic Theatre, where Shepard was the playwright-in-residence. It was a finalist for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize. Shepard later adapted the play for film. The 1985 production starred Shepard himself as Eddie, Kim Basinger as Mae, Randy Quaid as Martin and Harry Dean Stanton as Old Man. The Steppenwolf production is directed by Jeremy Herrin.
Fool For Love runs through March 23rd in the Downstairs Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, 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 68 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm, with an added performance on Wednesday, March 5th at 2:00 pm. There will not be a 7:30 performance on Wednesday March 5th or Tuesday, March 11th. Tickets range from $20-$128. FYI (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.