The Indiana Repertory Theatre is currently showcasing the works of Indiana native Kurt Vonnegut in the latest production, Who Am I This Time? (and other conundrums of love). Written by Aaron Posner, these adaptations of three early Vonnegut stories revolve around the theme of love: getting it, keeping it, and losing it.
The stories are from Vonnegut’s collection Welcome to the Monkey House: “Long Walk to Forever,” “Who Am I This Time?,” and “Go Back to Your Precious Wife and Son.” The acts are set in fictional North Crawford, Indiana. The first story, about an AWOL soldier visiting his hometown to tell his childhood friend that he loves her (on the eve of her wedding to another man, no less), is more sweet than humorous. The second, about a community theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire, and how it brings out the inner Stanley and Stella in two misfits, is both funny and poignant. The third story is about the failing marriage of a movie star who moves to North Crawford, and how the local handyman inadvertently gets involved.
An able cast glides through the stories, weaving them together with good humor and a semi-folksy charm. Matthew Brumlow is wonderful as Harry Nash in “Who Am I This Time?,” a shy hardware clerk who clearly needs the stage to let loose his “real” personality and to get the girl. While Vonnegut’s later work was tainted with sarcasm and some bitterness, newcomers unfamiliar with his early works will be pleasantly surprised to find the author could also turn his pen to a little heartfelt romance.
Russell Metheny’s clever stage easily transforms from a community theatre to a small town main street to the interior of a movie star’s home with just the movement of a few props.
Who Am I This Time? runs through February 23 on the OneAmerica Stage. Tickets are available online at www.irtlive.com or by calling 635-5252.
