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Thursday, October 11, 2007
‘The Water Coolers’ @ Horizon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: C-
Dancing water coolers. A fantasy about an “I.T. Cowboy” who makes personal visits to fix troublesome computers. A so-called M.O.H. (“male office hottie”) who has every intention of being a C.E.O.
Working 9-to-5 has never seemed so insistently asinine as it does in Thomas Michael Allen and Sally Allen’s “The Water Coolers: An Office Musical,” a show that’s gurgling up a lot of tepid nonsense at Horizon Theatre.
Director Heidi Cline’s ensemble of five workaday fools deserve a raise and a promotion for maintaining a professional attitude while mangling the lyrics of Cyndi Lauper (“Panic Monday”) and The Beach Boys (“In My Cube”) — and generally giving their all to a bunch of hooey that feels as dated and inefficient as a fax machine.
The performances are good. But the sub-par material feels more like one of those turgid commercial musicals that’s become a 14th Street Playhouse mainstay than the kind of scintillating contemporary drama that Horizon wishes to be known for. The modern office environment may be synonymous with deadlines, hangovers, technical difficulties, sexist innuendo and diversity awareness, but is that any excuse for making actors partner dances with water bottles?
Agnes Harty makes a heartfelt impression with the song “One Rung Higher,” about the never-ending struggle to balance a career and family. Newcomer Lauren Jones is a deft and expressive comedian — particularly when her daffy character makes an appearance on Oprah. (“Will I get a car?”) And Jason McDonald, perfectly cast as the “office hottie,” has such a big booming voice that he oughta be in opera.
But in this one-note musical, pop tunes are retrofitted with new lyrics to lame and lamentable effect, and the ongoing theme of exasperation rarely passes for inspiration.
THE 411: 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays. 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 11. $25-$30. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Little Five Points. 404-584-7450, horizontheatre.com
BOTTOM LINE: Your cup won’t runneth over.
