Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas: Geffen Playhouse Theatre Launches New Season

The Geffen Playhouse begins its new season with the world premiere of Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas. The crowd and atmosphere were relaxed and pleasant on Saturday, September 19, 2009, during a matinee performance at this historically themed theatre in Los Angeles' Westwood, CA.

Since re-opening in September 2005, after a four-year renovation hiatus, this elegant and historic theatre has hosted a 525-patron capacity Main Stage that includes plush wide seats, wonderful acoustics and magnificent lighting.

Written by celebrated playwright Blair Singer, and directed by John Rando, the premise of Matthew Modine is hysterical, and the characterizations are delightful. The production stars Modine, and TV's Peri Gilpin ("Frazier), and French Stewart (3^rd Rock from the Sun), who each deliver solid performances. The story focuses on the excesses encompassed in Hollywood A-list actor pursuits and celebrity life styles.

Modine portrays an exaggerated, narcissistic, and desperate version of himself, whose career has hit the bottom of a severe decline. The production begins with Modine conversing with Whimberly North (Gilpin), a celebrated publicist, who takes credit for the career revivals and image successes of celebrity royal-couple "Brangelina," among a few.

In an effort to catapult Modine from career oblivion and into celebrity A-list status, a plan is concocted for him to service humanity by saving the near-extinct alpacas species, whose survival is also connected to their generations of herders --- the secluded Chimborazzi tribe, located in the remote mountains of Ecuador. This premise, in and of itself, oozes of bellyaching laughter.

The viewer travels with the protagonist and his cohorts to the remote outback of Peru. When the story concludes the viewer is left with the impression that the protagonist has been internally effected, for the better or for the worst, as a result of his humanitarian efforts.

Although the premise is ingenious, and the performances are good, in my opinion, Singer (the playwright) falls slightly short of delivering the content encompassing the full emotional spectrum inherent in this theme. This Piece should be hysterical. However it somehow misses the mark. I found myself giggling during portions, and wanting to release gut-wrenching guffaws. However, the material fails to illicit such heart-felt responses. It yields only moderate amusement. Minor adjustments, I believe, would make the account perfect. Or perhaps time will heal all that ails this production.

Beowulf Boritt's stage designs are solid and believable. Costume deigns are adequate during most of the production, and fair during other parts, (stretch pants and heels, for Ms. Gilpin, during the early scenes, and some of the other costume choices are questionable, yet O.K.). Lighting and Sound for Jeff Croiter and Jon Gottlieb, respectively, are good.

Overall John Rando's directing delivers the desired outcome. However, the timing and pacing, during the opening segment, in the Publicists' office, are slightly awkward. The acting therefore comes off stifled.

For instance, French Stewart is double-cast as Jeffrey and Pierre du Perrier Jouet. In the opening segments as Jeffrey, Stewart's portrayal is moderately interesting, but not overly impressive.

Pierre du Perrier Jouet is introduced somewhere near the middle of the production, and Stewart delivers a slam-dunk in this interpretation. His timing is perfect, and almost every sentence muttered is hilarious. The character is amazingly funny!

By the end, when Jeffrey is re-introduced in the hills of Ecuador the performance is so solid that one can only assume Stewart has had time to warm up during his portrayal of Perrier Jouet. For, by the time the character is re-introduced, Stewart's portrayal of Jeffrey is also riotously funny.

Overall, by the time end of the production, all of the actors seem freer in their character interpretations. This is oftentimes to the credit (or discredit) of the Director.

Although not as gut-wrenchingly funny as one might imagine, Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas, which runs through October 18, serves as a reasonable opening for the Geffen Playhouse theatre's new season.