Upright Theatre Co.'s GOD OF CARNAGE goes wrong, "in the best way possible!"

 God of Carnage


by Yasmina Reza 
Translated by Christopher Hampton  

I want you to take a moment and think back to the last time you were polite to someone, even though everything inside of you wanted to act in the exact opposite way. You could feel the anger/irritation rising in you, all you wanted to do was unleash it, but you knew that it wasn’t the “right” thing to do, the socially acceptable thing to do, so you just said “okay” and moved on. Now, I want you to take that same scenario, and imagine that you did unleash all the irritation and anger that’s been building up – that’s God of Carnage. This play shows us the exact thing we all wish we could do, just let it all out.

This show allows us to watch as Veronica and Michael Novak slowly descend into chaos with Annette and Alan Raleigh, two married couples who have more than a bit of frustration and anger built up. Veronica Novak is played by Laura Sosnowski and watching Sosnowski slowly unravel from tight and controlled to emotional and real is so satisfying. It is female rage in its purest form, and she shares that rage with Annette Raleigh who is played by Amie Hamilton. Hamilton and Sosnowski are so enjoyable to watch because of how well they convey the nuance in the emotions, stories, and issues they share. They’re both able to capture the feelings of being a wife, mother, friend, and neighbor in a way that feels relatable and real to the audience.

Watching their husbands, Michael Novak and Alan Raleigh, is just as fun. Michael Novak is played by Tim Bass, who has his comedic timing down so well that the audience couldn’t stop laughing. Bass embodies his character well and is so entertaining when paired with the incredibly talented Robert Hamilton, who plays Alan Raleigh in the show. These two are a good time together because they both play the stereotypical husbands who just wants everyone to get along but also have their own egos that like to come into play here and there, yet somehow also find their way to one another and become pals amid the chaos. Both men are great balancing acts to their wives in the show, though I don’t know that much acting had to be involved for Robert and Amie Hamilton to be a good balance for one another given that the two are married in real life!

God of Carnage is what happens when politeness is thrown out the window. This show is real, chaotic, and absolutely absurd in the best way possible, yet also cathartic somehow too. I would recommend catching this show before it’s gone. God of Carnage is running until May 7th at Upright Theatre Company!

Show Run: 90 minutes w/ 15 minute intermission
Audience Rating: MA (Mature Audience) – Dark comedy with drinking, strong language, and adult themes. Not recommended for children.
Accessible Seating: Available 
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: N/A
Production Sound Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: This production contains sequences that may trigger those with emetophobia.

Be Well,

Aubrey

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