Steadstyle Chicago
	March 2009 Theatre Review by Ruth Smerling
	Mauritius "Mauritius" has finally found its way to Chicago after a successful run on Broadway in 2007.  The enthusiasm immediately registers at fever pitch with Steppenwolf ensemble veteran Rick Snyder making his Northlight directing debut and the stellar cast of Anne Adams, Lance Baker, Dan Kuhlman, Susan Lang and acclaimed veteran Chicago actor Gary Houston.  Anne Adams withdraws some of the tears and angst she took out for her unflinching performance in "Carter’s Way" at Steppenwolf, only this time she’s stepped it up a bit.  She’s Jackie, a young woman in possession of a stamp collection that may be worth millions of dollars.  Unlike the co-dependent and misdirected jazz singer in "Carter’s Way," she’s on her own, fueled by pure adrenaline when, on the advice of a comic book dealer, she brings the collection to expert philatelist Phil, played by Gary Houston.  It would actually not be a surprise if Gary was himself a stamp collector.  In addition to being an acclaimed actor, he’s a valuable resource and expert on a number of things usually foreign to most people outside of an academic environment.   Set designer Tom Birch worked painstakingly to get just the right amount of dust and clutter to make this place look almost as forbidden as a Roaring Twenties speakeasy.  Phil wants nothing to do with her collection unless she pays a $2000 consultation fee, but Dennis (Dan Kuhlman), a young guy hanging around the store, wants to have a look.  Phil warns her, Dennis is not an expert, but Dennis wins her over, turning on enough charm and warmth to melt a glacier.  Dennis takes a look and finds two from the island of Mauritius, where one of the world’s first post offices were built.  If real, they’re worth a fortune.   She leaves the store never planning to come back. Dennis has another agenda.  He immediately contacts his friend played by Lance Baker, who’s shed the bulk and splendor of Emperor Joseph in "Amadeus" to play Sterling, a lean, hungry looking man who appears wired and greedy enough to send high frequency threatening waves throughout the theatre.  In a moment of sheer poetry, Dennis and Sterling meet under Robert Christen’s hazy light where the two men suddenly become indistinct.  They stand at the actor’s exit, downstage, and look like they’re making a drug deal in a back alley.  Dennis tells Sterling about the stamps and Sterling jumps on board, ready to steal the collection.  Dennis, now the liaison between good and evil, wheedles Jackie’s address from the comic book dealer and pays her a visit.  He finds that she’s at war with her half-sister, Mary (Suzanne Lang – "Bus Stop" at Writer’s Theatre) over the collection.  Both sisters believe they have a right to the collection.  Mary is the older girl and sure that her sister will not have a leg to stand on.  She fails to take into consideration that Jackie is angry and deeply hurt over the place made for her in the family.  She’ll take the collection and cash it in before Mary can say Probate Court.  But soon they find out that their new friend Dennis has gotten them into more trouble than they could ever have imagined.   But first they have to get Phil on board, not an easy task.  Sterling stole Phil’s wife away from him and Phil hates him.  Sterling suggests very persuasively that Phil cooperate, and soon everyone is in way over their heads.  When describing "Mauritius" to people, everyone thinks this is a complicated story.  It is, but every detail fits into place and justifies some very complicated behavior.  There’s jealousy between the two sisters, indifference by the expert stamp collector threatened by the underworld.  Then of course there’s Dennis, the most dangerous one of the bunch.  He lures people into his corrupt little corner, exposing them to ruthless thugs like Sterling.  There are humorous moments but as the characters start to reveal their intentions and how determined they are the audience experiences the rude awakening that something potentially disastrous is afoot and thanks to the fine performances, you find yourself caring enough about these characters to beg for mercy for them.  "Mauritius" was named one of Time Magazine’s Top Ten Plays of 2007 and was considered a “gripping blend of sharp comedy and heart pounding drama that combines the best aspects of Hitchcock, Chandler and Mamet.”  Many of the characters echo Mamet works like "American Buffalo," but Rebeck gives her characters tremendous brains and thinking capacity, making them all potentially dangerous unless some higher power steps in.  They’re basically good people with a character flaw or two that you try desperately to overlook.  "Mauritius" is thrilling from beginning to end, without a single wasted moment.  "Mauritius" runs through April 5, 2009 at the Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL.  Parking is available.  Phone 847-673-6300 for tickets and information.   About Ruth Smerling Ruth Smerling began work as an entertainment writer while attending the prestigious University of Illinois School of Communications.  She persuaded the school paper to assign her to review the film "Get Shorty," starring John Travolta.  Unfortunately her work was a little too brutal for the UIC paper and that was also her last assignment.  Nevertheless, the need to write and communicate could not be extinguished and fortunately her reviews received a warm welcome by the Editor-In-Chief of College News, Daphne Robinson who named her the Reel Goddess from 1993 to 2003.  Ruth covered film festivals all over the North America and interviewed countless movie stars, directors and authors.  Meeting the French Director Bertrand Tavernier at the Chicago Film Festival was the turning point in her movie reviewing experience.  He presented a brilliant film called "It All Starts Today".  He explained that she loved his films so much because American films are enjoyable, but must sell as much popcorn and Coca-Cola as they do tickets.  Since 2003 Ruth has been submitting controversial and thought provoking reviews to Theatreworld Internet Magazine and is pleased to report that people around the world send her e-mails inquiring about Chicago theatre, actors, directors and productions underway.  Ruth is delighted to be part of the Steadstyle website and looks forward to a long and happy association.