Las Vegas CitySearch, December 1999
Some people will be put off by the title of the play and not only the blue-wash set who won't be
straying far from The Boy Scrooge this season anyway. Thos of us who are fans of free speech,
but skeptical about the use of some words for shock-value, may also have second thoughts about
attending the production. But somewhere in the middle of the play, "Poona the F***dog (and
Other Plays for Children)" justifies the title by making the point that words only have whatever
currency society gives them. The play accomplishes that nifty feat with a classic vaudeville,
"Who's On First"-style bit delivered by a two-headed alien. It's a concept that could easily be too
heavy-handed, but the actors, Cathy Clagett and Doug Hill, keep the tone and the pace
brisk.
Much of the credit for the tricky wordplay of course goes to the playwright, Jeff Goode who now
writes for MTV's "Undressed," but has an extensive theatre background. The Open Circle
Theatre in Seattle recently performed "Poona" to sold-out crowds. The Our Backs to the Wall
Players aren't selling out the Planet Mirth Space but that's certainly not their fault. The entire cast
turns in solid performances, making even tricky musical numbers engaging. It may be a bold
statement, but no other actors in town could handle the comic-music numbers as well as Tom
Turner and Joanana Durso do. And there are other moments of true brilliance, which, as with
most comedy, won't translate here. Honestly, seeing Doug Hill play God as a turbaned, bearded,
dress-wearing good fella, or Brian Anderson as Mr. Beer, a sort of Every-Redneck, is worth the
ticket price and the trek to Planet Mirth. (Dress warmly for the theatre space; they provide coffee
and blankets too. The theatre is in a warehouse space on Industrial, south of Tropicana.)
"Poona" is occasionally didactic, but never for long, and that's a small price to pay for tackling
challenging topics in a humorous way. Nothing is spared the satiric scope of the play, not
male/female relationships, not the media, television, celebrity worship, consumerism and many
more things that would probably pop up on a second viewing. At a time of year when most
companies stick to old chestnuts, any new production that takes real risks deserves support. Our
Backs to the Wall Players are making a niche for themselves taking risks; they also brought Las
Vegas "subUrbia" and last summer's controversial "Macbeth: An urban tragedy." Director and
founder of Our Backs to the Wall Players L.B. Hamilton stated that the company's most recent
production is their Christmas present to themselves. Luckily, they're sharing the gift with the rest
of us. More, please.