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Comments (0) By Mayank Keshaviah Thursday, Nov 8 2012

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Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Category: Theaters

Region: Out of Town

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For those more familiar with World of Warcraft than Waiting for Godot, Michael Golamco's newest play may appeal as it casts its LCD glow on a pair of video game developers and college buddies who have diverged as they've become successful. Will (Peter Katona), the "sellout," is nattily attired in well-tailored suits, drives a Ferrari, and works at the office, while Kip (Thomas Sadoski) "keeps it real" by working from home, clad in a bathrobe, a thick stubble and a thin layer of pizza grease. They're tasked with developing the sequel to their virally popular video game, but Kip, trapped in pill-popping melancholy, is more interested in the creative potential of his game engine and the female Artificial Intelligence (Laura Heisler) that he has developed. That she looks just like his deceased wife adds a wrinkle to the story, but it doesn't jolt the languorous dramatic through line. Nonetheless, Golamco sets up an intriguing philosophical debate between "the engineer" and "the businessman," a debate that director Will Frears realizes as a tangible conflict between friends. Sadoski relishes the reclusive cynic, powering through Kip's sardonic retorts and quirky tirades with gusto. Sound designer Vincent Olivieri inventively digitizes Heisler's voice without making her sounding robotic, and Sibyl Wickersheimer aptly festoons Kip's rat's nest with pizza boxes, soda cans and stacks of external hard drives. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Wstwd.; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m.; through November 18. (310)-208-5454, geffenplayhouse.com.
Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 & 7 p.m. Starts: Oct. 24. Continues through Nov. 18, 2012