Even the sweetest revenge can unwittingly take on a sour element.
That’s what happens to the characters’ plan in John David Westby’s “Random Theft and Other Acts.” In the “Fargo”-esque comedy, three “over educated, under-employed suburbanites” find themselves in the economic downturn of 2008 and involved in a bank robbery gone wrong.
“It centers on a woman who has been done wrong by her ex-husband. And her intention is to revenge him by ripping off his family bank. She elicits some support from a couple of young men who help her out under the guidance of an older professional,” Director Marge Uhlarik-Boller said.
Unbeknownst to everyone, a much more criminal element has become involved as well, creating conflict, she said.
“One of the characters is really a bad guy. Just like in ‘Fargo,’ where you’re surprised by how bad someone is,” Uhlarik-Boller said.
The dark comedy runs Jan. 13-Feb. 5 at Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays.
The production at Steel Beam is the play’s second staging ever, Uhlarik-Boller said. Written by Westby, longtime playwright and current marketing director for Steel Beam, the play has only been staged once before – at Talisman Theatre in Elgin.
“It is something that has not been seen much at all,” Uhlarik-Boller said. “It had rave reviews. It had staged readings in New York City and Chicago and placed as a finalist in the New Jersey Repertory New Work Contest.
“It’s a pretty respected play,” she said.
Uhlarik-Boller first read the play in 1994, prior to its first production, she said.
“Ever since I first read it I’ve wanted to direct it,” Uhlarik-Boller said.
The play, she said, is a layered show with a lot going on.
“It’s an unusual play that it is a comedy about a bank heist. Although it is a comedy, it has a certain level of danger, violence and indeed even murder in it,” she said. “It is definitely what you would term a dark comedy.”
While the show fits with Steel Beam’s 2016-2017 season, which is centered on comedies, it is an unusual comedy in that there’s twists and turns in it, she said.
“And some surprises, with a big surprise at the ending. It’s got the twists and turns of a crime drama in it, but it’s not a drama,” Uhlarik-Boller said. “As well as having its moments of scariness and even gunplay, it’s definitely got laughs as well. It’s an unusual play.”
The play features a cast of seven actors from throughout the area, all of who had to undergo rigorous stage combat training throughout the rehearsal process.
“We have gunplay, people hitting each other. We have a very talented fight choreographer whose come on board to help us out. That’s been very important because on a small stage – any stage – you have to be very, very cautious,” Uhlarik-Boller said. “At the ending there’s a lot of fight choreography that had to be worked out, just so the actors remain safe. Every day before we begin rehearsal and performances we have to do a fight call.”
Along with working out the fight choreography, one of the other big challenges for the production is making sure there is enough fake money for the bank heist. At one point, $150,000 is needed, while later, the figure is $750,000.
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“We have to have a lot of fake money. Believe it or not, fake money is expensive. It’s extraordinarily expensive to get fake money from a prop house. A band of 100 $100 bills – which is $10,000 — costs $25. So if we need $750,000 it would cost us hundreds of dollars,” Uhlarik-Boller said.
While Steel Beam did buy some of the fake currency, the crew turned to YouTube to learn how to make the prop money.
“It’s an involved process because we need three suitcases full of money. It’s been far more challenging than any of us ever expected. I thought you could buy fake money, easily – and you can, but it’s expensive,” Uhlarik-Boller said. “I’ve personally never done a show where a person’s needed more than a few bucks in their pocket where they pull out a few dollars. And I’ve done a lot of theater. I’ve done over 100 plays. So it’s hilarious to me that I’ve never encountered this issue before.”
“Random Theft and Other Acts” is considered suitable for teenagers and older, she said.
“There’s a little bit of language, but certainly not more than you would hear on television,” Uhlarik-Boller said.
The comedy, she said, offers an enjoyable evening out and a remedy to cabin fever.
“It will be a fun show for a cold winter’s night. It’s engaging. It’s interesting. There’s a story that unfolds, and there are surprises that happen,” she said. “It will be a nice distraction from the wintry season.”
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.
‘Random Theft and Other Acts’
When: Jan. 13-Feb. 5
Where: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles
Tickets: $28 Adults; $25 Seniors 62+; $23 Students; $22 Groups of ten or more
Information: 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com