Eugene weekly., May 13, 2004, Page 32, Image 32

BY SHARLEEN NELSON
Review
Reunion Reflections
Lord Leebrick offers well-acted Pavilion .
U
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RUBY CHASM
152 W 5th @ Charnelton
EUGENE • 344-4074
M-Sa 10-6 • Sun 12-5
niversally, it’s one of the foremost
anxiety-inducing events in life.
What I’m referring to, of course, is
the dreaded high school reunion. From the
moment the invitation arrives in the mailbox,
the angst-O-meter skyrockets. In Lord
Leebrick’s premiere production of The
Pavilion, drama and long suppressed memo-
ries — good times as well as emotional scars
left over from high school injustices — all
come into play.
Written by Craig Wright, whose work can
be seen in the TV series “Six Feet Under,” the
production is a smart, funny, and thought-
provoking blend of pain, pleasure, and
pathos, as well as a measurement of time irre-
trievable and time remaining.
Opening in Pine City, Minn. at a dilapi-
dated dance hall on the edge of a lake, the
class of 1984’s 20-year reunion is about to
commence. From the narrator, we receive a
lightning-fast history of the universe — the
significant role each of us occupy within it;
and how even the seemingly minor choices
we make can affect others and permanently
alter their universe.
We are also introduced to Peter and Kari,
two former high school sweethearts fated to
reunite years after their less than amicable
parting.
Peter, a psychiatrist returning to his home-
town for the first time since leaving for col-
lege, views the reunion as an opportunity to
rectify a 20-year-old “cosmically stupid” mis-
take and to perchance rekindle a relationship
with Kari. However, Kari isn’t the least bit
interested in making up. For one thing, she’s
married, albeit unhappily, and as far as she’s
concerned, Peter is a closed chapter. As the
evening unfolds, a mélange of well-meaning
friends advise the couple on a variety of top-
ics; particularly, whether they should get back
together or not. Adding to the already bitter-
sweet emotions swirling through the night, a
gathering fleet of fire trucks awaits outside to
burn the old memory filled pavilion to the
ground at the stroke of midnight.
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In his directorial debut, Bill Hulings has
cast three multi-talented individuals. Dan
Pagoda and Valerie McMahon are the ill-
fated couple, who have terrific onstage chem-
istry. Pagoda is both comedic and tender as
the mixed up and remorseful Peter. He also
demonstrates his formidable musical talents
during a poignant guitar solo. Likewise,
McMahon is splendid as the ill-treated Kari.
From righteous anger to moments of maturi-
ty and wise introspection, her range of emo-
tions is remarkable.
And finally, playing an actor playing an
actor playing an actor, Jeff Pierce is fantastic
and relentlessly entertaining as the narrator,
who not only chronicles and provides power-
ful imagery and insight into the emerging cos-
mic drama, but seamlessly transitions in and
out of an assortment of both male and female
roles that embody every conceivable high
school stereotype — from the sweet-but-clue-
less cheerleader, the bitter feminist and the
chronic doper to the conflicted chief of police
and the world-weary church minister.
Valerie McMahon
(Kari) and Dan
Pegoda (Peter) in
a scene from
Craig Wright’s
The Pavilion.
If what you’re craving is a night of witty
comedy, high drama, and nostalgic ’80s
tunes, The Pavilion’s got it all.
ew
william shakespeare’s
much ado
about
nothing
UO Students!!
Present this Coupon
w. Your Student ID
a robinson theatre production
Tickets:
UO Ticket UO Ticket Office/EMU
Office
346-4363
Robinson Theatre
Main Floor- EMU Box Office: 346-4191
Evenings of Performance Only!
Two Tickets
for the price of
One
Thursday, May 20
Only!
28 MAY 13, 2004
May 14, 15
20, 21, 22,
28, 29- 8 PM
May 23 at 2 PM
a benefit for Womenspace
for benefit tickets call
485-8232