The Grind won't grind you down

The Grind is what you would call a “workplace comedy,” but that doesn’t mean it’s just a rehash of Office Space. Oh no, do not make that mistake. Silas (played to geeky perfection by Andy Smith) is just another cog in the machine at the nameless everycompany he works for. Daisy (Heidi Hargrove) is his sassy officemate. She is capable, smart, a little flirtatious, and has been stuck in the same position for five years, spending her unproductive workdays bidding in online auctions and taking long lunchbreaks. We could really relate to her. The members of The Board (delightfully underhanded harpies played by Laurie Gallardo, Mariana G. Thornton, and Miriam Yucht Rubin) decide, in a "Double, double toil and trouble" sort of way, to promote Silas to CFO because he’s “such a good worker.”

Although Silas is happy to accept the new job, he has his doubts about the company’s true motives. With the slightly skewed advice of Daisy, Silas begins climbing the corporate ladder to the coveted position of CEO. But work is never that easy, nor is being a “team player.” Silas realizes that his loyalty is expected from The Board, as well as from his partner-in-promotion, Truman (Geoff Pearson). Everyone seems to be pitted against each other. Oh, the agony of office politics!

Can we just take a moment to say that Truman was our favorite character? Pearson’s comedic timing is impeccable, and he plays the overgrown yuppie frat boy (reminiscent of Seann William Scott’s "Stifler" in American Pie - only employed, and funnier) with some serious skill.

After a plan concocted by Daisy backfires on Silas, all hell breaks loose in the office. Truman loses his cool, the other employees start rioting, and we’re pretty sure we heard someone mention orgies in the breakroom. Man, that NEVER happens where we work. Once everything calms down, Silas finds himself in an unexpected – but perhaps welcome – position. The tables have turned, but ultimately for the better.

So maybe you spend all day in your cubicle, cranking out those TPS reports (what ARE those, anyway?), and the last thing you want to do is watch a play about the workplace. Fair enough. But, as Timothy Thomas writes, “I think most people find it very cathartic to walk into a theatre and see all the people who drive them up and down the walls all day presented in all their annoying glory.” We couldn’t agree more. The Grind deftly combines sharp writing, a great cast, and an all-too-familiar setting - complete with those ubiquitous, unflattering fluorescent lights. We’re certain you’ll enjoy it too, even if you’re not much of a team player.

The Grind
Arts on Real Theatre
2826 Real Street
Through August 27th
Thurs – Saturday, 8pm; Sundays, 5pm
Additional show August 20th at 11pm
Tickets $12
Pick Your Price Thursdays