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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2004)
BY SHARLEEN NELSON Review A Day to Remember Fuddy Meers opens at Arena Theatre. This week try our: Coconut Prawns • Tiger Cries Salad Pineapple Curry with Salmon * Cocktails now available! * Dine In, Take Out • 541-342-6666 • 652 East Broadway • Eugene, OR Hours: 11am-9pm M-Thu • 11am-10pm Fri. • 12-10pm Sat. • 12-9pm Sun. TONIGHT ONLY THURS. APRIL 29 CUSTOMER WET T-SHIRT CONTEST 1ST PRIZE $200 CASH ALSO OIL WRESTLING TONIGHT COME CHEER ON THE LADIES OF THE HOT BODY CLUB! CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA WED., MAY 5TH • $.50 TACOS (4-MIDNIGHT) GIVEAWAYS ALL NIGHT • WIN FREE TIX TO JADA DEVILLE, MAY 19 $3.00 Lunch Special 12-2pm • $4.00 Dinner Special 5-9pm 2165 W. 11TH AVENUE ❤ EUGENE ❤ 683-6021 Monday - Friday 12-2 Saturday & Sunday 2-2 www.hotbody.com 30 APRIL 29, 2004 W elcome to the funhouse — UO’s intimate and funky Arena Theatre that is, where David Lindsay- Abaire’s off-the-wall dark comedy, Fuddy Meers, is currently playing. Focusing primarily on the ac- tion and the characters themselves, the crew makes good use of the small space for kitchen, basement, bedroom, and automobile scenes by using minimal props — simple boxes that easily morph from bed to couch to car. Further enhancing the funhouse feel is a wacky blend of music and sounds — from “Sesame Stacy Douglas and Daren Lundeen in Fuddy Meers, University Theatre. Street” and “PeeWee’s Playhouse” themes to well-timed “Loony violence and the defense mechanisms victims Tunes,” and a slideshow projected on the use to justify further manipulation. wall that flashes a random sampling of amus- Still, it certainly was a day like no other ing factoids. for Claire. Many secrets are revealed and The play centers on Claire, who suffers questions answered — all except one, will from a rare medical condition called psy- she remember any of it tomorrow? chogenic amnesia, in which she wakes up Director j. nick dickert has assembled a every morning with virtually no memory of talented and energetic cast. As the play’s hap- the previous day. Every morning her husband less heroine Claire, Stacy Douglas exudes a Richard must re-explain her situation. He’s sweet and natural innocence that immedi- even compiled a handy reference book to ately draws the audience squarely in her cor- help her get through the day. But when an un- ner. Likewise, Sean Andries puts in a first- expected limping, lisping caller sporting a ski rate performance as her deceptively amiable mask, bright orange coveralls and a handcuff spouse, Richard. suspiciously dangling from one wrist pops Daren Lundeen is hilarious as the pathetic out from under her bed, this day promises to and disfigured Limping Man, and Kyle be unlike any other. Warren is perfectly cast in the over-the-top Claiming to be her brother, limping man role of the conflicted Millet. His manic mus- convinces Claire that he is rescuing her from ings with sock puppet Hinky-Binky steal the her dangerous husband and whisks her away show. Jennifer Thomas does a good job play- to their mother’s house in the country. ing the stroke-challenged Gertie, although at Meanwhile, Richard and his angry, punk son times she seemed to struggle with it. To her Kenny set out in search of Claire. credit, however, it’s hard enough remember- At the mother’s house in the country, pan- ing regular lines, let alone gibberish ones. demonium ensues, but the chaotic action Rounding out the cast is Stevo Clay as angst- takes a serious turn as revelations and memo- ridden teen-ager Kenny, and Danielle ries merge, allowing Claire to begin peeling Kardum as lady cop Heidi. Both put in fine back the layers of her disjointed psyche. performances. Entertaining and full of sur- Claire’s “blank slate” reveals, among other prises, Fuddy Meers runs through May 1. ew things, the wretched devastation of domestic
