Choppity Chop Chopper: Austinist Theatre Review

It would have been easy to depict Emily as a mere simpleton, but Kling embodies the character with innocence and sincerity. We were intensely curious about why exactly Emily holds so much power over people. We haven't quite figured it out, and we like that. The only rejection Emily suffers is from her parents, who want her to be so much more than she will ever be capable. It is sad, and the scene where Emily asks them for one final handout is difficult to watch. The tragedy of Emily's life is a strong dramatic undercurrent of Chopper, and one that stayed with us.

Kling has a beautiful, round face, with big clear eyes and full lips, and her looks stand in direct contrast with Heather Huggins' Kathleen. In the role, Huggins keeps her mouth pressed to a thin, slanted gash, and her arms held jaggedly akimbo. With her hair pulled back into an enormous 80's poof, her already angular features make her seem hawklike, and very severe. She is the brains of the outfit, pulling Emily along with her as she struggles through the adult problems in life. As the yin to Emily's yang, you're not meant to like Kathleen very much, but you come to respect her. And as Huggins slowly and subtly gives glimpses of Kathleen's vulnerabilities, you begin to understand where her blunt, scrappy toughness comes from.

The cast is rounded out by fine performances from Noah Neal, playing several characters but mostly turning in a nicely understated comedic role as Emily's new boyfriend, and Shanon Weaver, giving a straightforward sendup of the typical loser Mick, who is in some ways the source of all of Emily & Kathleen's problems. Ken Webster directs, and in his usual manner deftly mines the humor from the darker parts of what we would call a dark comedy. His casting is spot on (we're particularly impressed that he chose two outstanding actresses with such starkly complementary looks), and the show is well paced, using typical Webster staccato in all the right places.

Hyde Park describes Chopper as a "hilarious and moving slacker comedy," and it is indeed hilarious and moving, but to us some scenes were tragedy on the level that is difficult to watch. We consider that high praise. We cared so much about these characters that their imminent failure really socked us right in the gut. And don't get us wrong -- it is a comedy, and one well worth seeing. But be prepared to leave the theatre with a little bit to think about.

Chopper finishes its run at 8:00 PM this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday is Pay What You Can Night; Friday and Saturday tickets are $17 ($15 for students, seniors, and ACOT members). Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 W. 43rd Street. For reservations call 479-PLAY (7529).