33 To Nothing is a terrific, tough little musical in the vein of Tick,
Tick...Boom or Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Grant James Varjas has
written the taut, aggressive book and composed the intense alt-rock score both
to sensational effect (additional credit on two of the songs is given to
bandmates/cast members Preston Clark and John Good). Even the location of the
newly renovated, eco-friendly theater, Wild Project, at East 3rd. St. & Ave. B
adds to its street credibility.
Ostensibly about a rehearsal by a garage band for an upcoming gig, this play
with music is really about the breakup of a relationship which will cause (by
the play's end) the break up of the band itself. Gray (Mr. Varjas in a bravado
performance) is the lead singer and songwriter for the group. He recently has
broken up with Bri (Preston Clarke) who plays lead guitar in the band. He is
also dealing with the recent death of his mother and his nascent alcoholism. All
the songs that the band is rehearsing are about the soured relationship and
their naked autobiographical pitch causes the rest of the band discomfort. This
is especially true for the sympathetic Tyler (John Good) who is Gray's longtime
best friend and who's wife Alex (Amanda Gruss) is also in the band. In his
alcoholic, self-absorption, Gray has missed the fact that everyone else is
beginning to move on to more adult pursuits. Tyler and Alex want to start a
family while Bri has tentatively entered a new relationship. Only Barry, the
drummer (a hilarious Ken Forman) although henpecked still wants the life of a
"roadie".
Despite the tensions of both 'breakups', there is a wonderfully relaxed feel
among the players enhancing the experience of a "real" band (all the actors play
their own instruments to exhilarating effect). There is also a genuine caring
expressed for Gray's emotional problems by the actors especially Bri. Even Ms.
Gruss who is laden with playing the 'heavy' shows sufficient concern for Gray's
breakdown. There is also a humorous interlude about gay rock stars (both
closeted and not).
As tight as the book and the performances are, it's really the music and lyrics
that the send the show soaring. Mr. Vargas' sensational lyrics are just tart
enough to sting but are passionate enough to move (even though Tyler attacks
Gray with the accusation "Nobody pays attention to lyrics, anymore!"). In
describing the failure of his relationship in "Too Late Now", Gray sings that
"you needed more than my silence while I thrived on the emotional violence" and
on "28 Bars" he sings "take another Dramamine; it's just another pill for the
drama queen". The rock score/rehearsal format provides the concert-like
atmosphere of stopping the action while actually continuing it; credit director
Randal Myler for the smooth transitions throughout. 33 To Nothing is an
ambitious, powerful and ultimately moving new work.
