Theater Review – September 29, 2024

STRAY CAT’S FUNNY BUT SCARY “THE MINUTES” REMINDS US OF REAL-LIFE POLITICS

“The Minutes”
Stray Cat Theatre, Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Hilarity and hypocrisy mix well in Tracy Letts’ latest play “The Minutes” and Stray Cat Theatre mounts a marvelously amusing but thought-provoking production.  Set-in small-town Big Cherry’s City Council meeting, they are wrestling with an annual historic festival dealing with the town’s founding back in 1872, or are they?  There are a host of irregularities that occurred at the last meeting and many Council members don’t want to tread on the unresolved issues.

One Council member who missed that meeting wants to know what happened.  As an outcast, he pushes with vigor but the Council doesn’t want to confront the issues.  Turns out the Council members who attended the previous meeting have formed a cult to avoid discussion.  What happens is best not told for it might ruin the play. See the play and be the judge.

Letts wrote “August: Osage County” and his latest piece has the same trademarks of insightful exploration of timely contemporary topics.  The play garnered much acclaim last season on Broadway and it is a credit to Stray Cat Theatre for marking the play’s Arizona debut in Louis Farber’s cleverly and divisively staged production that moves along with dark humor.  You laugh at the Council’s silly protestations but small-town life is amazingly similar to major political occurrences today.

The cast is perfect beginning with Ron May’s long-awaited return to performing as the trying-to-be-in-control mayor.  Katie McFadzen makes the most of a Councilperson who meanders but says little.  Tony Latham bustles around as the errant Council person who missed the previous meeting. Tim Shawver is the not respected and chatty Council member while David Weiss bumbles about as the longest incumbent Council member. CJ Mascarelli is the forceful Councilperson who has disappeared and Michelle Luz is the bewildered member. Tanner J. Conley plays a mixed-up Council member and the rest of the cast make each remaining Council person distinctive.

“The Minutes” reminds of the challenging things confronting us each day.  It is a scary reflection of daily weirdness.  As usual, it is nice to have Stray Cat Theatre provide the area with well staged but pointed dramatic fare that reminds us how challenging it is to view the daily news.

“The Minutes” continues through October 12.  To order tickets, call the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-350-2822 or order tickets online at www.straycattheatre.org.

Grade: A