All aboard.
The Sunset Limited
Presented by Rogue Machine
Review by Ceebs Bailey
In an age of short attention spans, endless multi-tasking and Googlefied width without depth, it was intensely satisfying to sink into a seat at the Los Angeles premier of The Sunset Limited—a drama presented by Rogue Machine and now playing in Theater Theatre at Pico and La Brea—and have an engaging, focused demanding experience.
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A rare play written by eventual Nobel Prize winner Cormac McCarthy, The Sunset Limited itself is a passenger train (or subway car) that figures central to the play’s only scene; but it’s not as simple as that. There’s certainly much more significance lurking in that carefully chosen name. Of course, that’s what The Sunset Limited is positively overcrowded with—meaning, subtext, questions, choices, hope, despair, death, God and philosophy. And then some.
Bare bones, The Sunset Limited is the encounter of two men, named White and Black in the script, who have retreated to Black’s apartment after he has saved White from that morning’s suicide attempt; an aborted jump off the platform and in front of The Sunset Limited. White is educated, a professor, an atheist. Black has moved to the city from the South, are an ex-con and a Believer. The entire play consists of their ensuing conversation in Black’s tenement apartment.
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The casting is nothing short of inspired. White, played with taut, defiant resignation by Ron Bottitta, is willing to expend the energy to stand his ground even in the face of his own nihilism and annihilation. Black is played to perfection by Tucker Smallwood; startlingly realistic, hopeful, tired, cautious yet still compassionate. Each actor brings it all to the stage and, together, they create something memorable. The Sunset Limited is directed by John Perrin Flynn who must choreograph the intensity in small confines without resorting to the easy and substituting shouting as emotion. |
While all of the visible action takes place in the apartment, The Sunset Limited also takes place in the space of your own thoughts and beliefs. With unrelenting dialogue, The Sunset Limited demands that you, as an audience member, remain engaged and listening; even participating. You can’t let yourself get distracted or you fear you’ll miss out on a gem or information or dialogue. As it progresses (and without being the least bit didactic), the play’s many subjects invites and challenges you to re-examine your own beliefs on life, death, education, compassion, crime, poverty, family—all the big issues. |
There are only two people on stage in The Sunset Limited, but everyone in the audience is mentally engaged. Be prepared to get involved.
Tickets are highly recommended and are available online at www.plays411.com/sunsetlimited or call (323) 960-7712 to order by phone.
Where
:
Theater Theatre
www.roguemachinetheatre.com
This location has concessions.
When
:
Now through Sunday, December 19
Times
:
Added performance Thursday, Nov. 18
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 5 p.m.
Sundays at 7 p.m.
Running time is about 90 minutes with no intermission
Tickets
:
$25
Parking
:
Street parking only so allow time accordingly.
