Derek Ahonen’s “The Bad and the Better,” is filled with 26 cast members with angst. 
The Amoralists are known for making waves, pushing the bar and doing it quirkily. “The Bad and the Better,” is a show for the Occupy Wall Street crowd. They would be cheering in droves. The plot, though convoluted, involves two brothers. One a disgraced former New York City cop Rick Lang (William Apps) and his brother, Chuck (David Nash), an undercover agent who is masquerading as an Off Off Broadway playwright to infiltrate an anarchist cell. Vengeance, lust, revenge and film noir style is the name of the game. William Apps, Selene Beretta, Ugo Chukwu and Sarah Lemp turn in some credible work but remember there are 26 actors here.
Kudos to the world that Alfred Schatz (set) and Natalie Robin’s fabulous lighting create. We have seen this world, even if it has been through movies and the two of them create something that is breathable and almost living. The direction by Daniel Aukin is a little too frenetic. Mr. Ahonen’s script is reminiscent of “The Big Easy” gone the way of a lower East Side mind set.
It’s crazy, but there is something here.
The Bad and the Better: Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 West 42nd Street, until July 21st.
WITH: Byron Anthony (Nino), William Apps (Rick Lang), Clyde Baldo (Zorn), Reuben Barsky (Protester/Student), Selene Beretta (Charity), Penny Bittone (Lenny), Regina Blandon (Inez), Ugo Chukwu (Gun Dealer/Detective Becker/Leon), Wade Dunham (Cop 3), Edgar Eguia (Cop 1), James Kautz (Justice), Christopher Lanceley (John March), David Lanson (Eugene Moretti), Nick Lawson (Scotty), Sarah Lemp (Miss Hollis), Judy Merrick (Connie), David Nash (Venus/Chuck Lang), Cassandra Paras (Matilda), James Rees (Cop 2/Homeless Man/ Zorn’s Assistant), Sarah Roy (Julie), Dan Stern (News Anchor), Anna Stromberg (Faye), Kelley Swindall (Jane March), Jordan Tisdale (Julio), Vanessa Vache (Medical Examiner/Student/Ash) and Chris Wharton (Edmond).
Posted by Suzanna Bowling
on July 16, 2012. Filed under ENTERTAIMENT,Theatre.
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