drive

Drive, a long form improvisation piece from director Rob Mello (Naked), uses the Mesiner technique to observe a performer and allowing these impulses to determine (or drive) the scene. Performers take positions in a circle around the stage, close to audience, one calling: "Lights up." Scenes beign when two performers lcok eyes and walk toward the center, each watching the other's body language. Sometimes this leads to an opening line, as often the other players call the location - "airport", "hospital", "living room" - letting those ontstage play themselves without the anxiety of a wacky "who/what/where". The talented cast plays the form well, spinning a tapestry of relationship in change, to great comedic and dramatic effect. The comedy often surprises both audience and performer, as when an "Oleanna"-style professor tells his student, "I went to Wayne State University." She answers, "Idiot. There's no state named 'Wayne'." Callbacks and connections are few, mostly in the closing monologues, but the piece rides well on the charm of the performers. As in life, there is no final destination, only a rest stop to a long night's drive. Highly Recommended.