There is no shortage of crime drama programming on TV and our cinema screens, and it is just as plentiful to see crime in real time in our world. But theatre is yet another place where they tear away the fourth wall and allow us to peer voyeuristically into something pretty darn close to reality. And in this arena, intimacy and access create the perfect storm for a crime-based thriller to work its magic within the viewer.
When Keith Huff’s A Steady Rain opens in Grand Rapids , this inspired-by-the-headlines play will have been workshopped in our neighboring city of Chicago and received a star-studded Broadway debut with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig before finally landing at Actors’ Theatre of Grand Rapids.
But what makes this production really soar in the eyes of those who enjoy a (pardon my wording) tasty thriller is that this story is exquisitely revealed through the device of only using two actors to propel this heartfelt story of childhood best friends who became partners within the Chicago Police Department.
Both men display that Iron John masculine-bond that keeps them looking out for each other. But this bond is tested when a serious blunder is made when reporting to the home of a domestic squabble, and the victim’s fate is sealed with theirs. It is the kind of gripping theatre that is rare these days as more and more stages are converted to over the top and flashy musicals.
In the hands of anyone else, actors Todd Lewis and Jim Cantrell in the roles of Denny and Joey, respectively, could have turned in a believable performance. But under director Jeralyn Pinsky, a veteran of the stage with nearly 20 productions to her credit, these actors’ performances really soar on stage, creating the perfect balance of tension that makes seeing a staged performance so wonderful and still relevant.
And if you are a fan of crime drama, you will want to make this the very top of your entertainment choices.
Admission: Starting at $24. (Student tickets are $20.)
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