Small Engine Repair

Related Content

• Children's Plays Are Naive and Sappy. 24th Street Theatre Is Bringing Them to the Dark Side
  January 22, 2013
• A Pair of Two-Person Shows, One Starring Comedy Couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally
  April 25, 2013
• Theater to See in L.A. This Week, Including Sherlock's Last Case
  January 3, 2013
• What Critics -- and Theater Artists -- Are Feeling When Critics Come See a Show
  January 3, 2013
• The Coarse Acting Show and Dirty Filthy Love Story, Reviewed
  November 29, 2012

More About

• John Pollono
• Michael Redfield
• Manchester (New Hampshire)
• Josh Helman
• Jon Bernthal

Laced with casual expletives, John Pollono's one-act play packs a powerful punch. When a trio of longtime mates from Manchester, New Hampshire get together for some heavy drinking in Frank's car mechanic workshop — David Mauer's beautifully realized set — they reminisce about old times and chat about women, the internet and the virtues of social networking. The pals, confident Frank (John Pollono), ladies man Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and nervy guy Packie (Michael Redfield) indulge in trading insults and mocking digs as they chew the fat. Inappropriate comments, harsh words and hasty apologies are exchanged, but nobody's sure why Frank is busting out the good whiskey. A young college kid (Josh Helman) arrives to do a quiet drug deal with Frank and all of a sudden the scene erupts into terrifying violence. Pollono's script is an exquisitely-modulated gem of a play, gripping the viewer with a storyline that is both shocking and sobering in its commentary on modern interactions in the technological age. Director Andrew Block extracts such realistic performances from his cast that we almost forget we are watching a play, as the appalling action unfolds mere inches away. Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri.-Sat., 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; Mon., 8 p.m.; thru April 30. (323) 960-4424, roguemachinetheatre.com.
Mondays, 8 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 10:30 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Sun., May 1, 7 p.m.; Mondays, Fridays-Sundays, 8 p.m.; Mondays, Fridays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Starts: March 28. Continues through June 12, 2011