Let's call it Theater of Mathematical Mindlessness, where a ridiculous situation is presented and then multiplied, the actors trapped inside algorithms that have them shouting "Blowjobs Without Reciprocation" and "Piss Chart!," and the boss carrying around a golf club while turning up the Smarm Dial to eleven. If humans actually behaved the way these characters do, especially the men, they would be hauled off to the insane asylum and shackled together with Billy Bibbit.
In fairness to Marin Theater's production of Becca Wolff's "Do You Feel The Anger?" let us assume the absurdity on stage is calculated to lead to a more basic truth, such as loneliness, or despair. Here, the author seems to be making two statements: First, men are blithering, juvenile morons and, second, women in offices are often treated poorly and with disrespect. Points taken.
That took five minutes. The show lasts ninety.
Please. There is no office, nor any other collection of humans past the age of Cub Scouts, where a male boss (with or without his putter) would never have heard of a woman's period. These situations are so egregious that anger would be more than justified. But there is no anger in "Do You Feel the Anger," except perhaps for the audience who paid good money to see this stuff.
We enjoyed Sam Jackson as Sophia the empathy coach, until she joined on with the juvenile men, ostensibly to save her job. We’re glad Little Spider almost reconciled with her mother at the end, Nice touch.
RATINGS: ★baub
The San Francisco Theater Blog Awards Division grants One Star with a Bauble of Despair to “Do You Feel The Anger?” You get One Star just for doing the work and showing up. The Bauble is for the inexplicable set piece where three women sit on toilets while crouching to pee. You can't make this stuff up.
This rating falls below the Julie Andrews Line (See Side Bar at right for explanation).
“Do You Feel The Anger?”
Marin Theater Company
397 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley
Through June 29
$$47-$85
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