The final production of the season at Studio Theatre, titled ‘Wipeout,’ offers a refreshing yet thought-provoking exploration of aging and the spirit of adventure.
Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the play is not without its unique environmental warnings, which include non-toxic vaping, loud music, and even controlled water spray that may reach the audience.
Despite its title, the play does not feature surfboards, focusing instead on the imaginative scenario of three elderly women renting a waterfront apartment in Santa Monica for a weekend.
Director Danilo Gambini has uniquely staged all the action within this apartment, where the characters aim to take surfing lessons.
The women are portrayed as actively engaged in their fantasies of surfing, getting on coffee tables to mimic riding the waves, all while interacting in an impressively detailed indoor set designed by Jimmy Stubbs.
This indoor setting contrasts with their lively conversations, allowing them to shift between practical activities such as rummaging through the fridge while reminiscing about their days on the beach.
The narrative revolves around their friendship, memories, and unresolved grudges, as they take surf lessons from a youthful instructor.
While Real de Asua’s intention is to showcase the resilience and adventurous spirits of elderly people, some might find the portrayal to be slightly patronizing, reminiscent of themes often found in shows like ‘The Golden Girls.’
Throughout the play, the three women reflect on their lives and personal histories.
They grapple with their feelings for one another while their wisdom often appears to stem from the instructor, who philosophically discusses waves as a universal energy rather than from the women themselves.
The cast performs admirably, buoying the performance with their strong portrayals.
Naomi Jacobson shines as the organized planner who surprisingly discovers her affinity for the water, while Katherine Cortez excellently embodies the brash character with a lifelong desire to surf, revealing her vulnerabilities beneath a tough exterior.
Delissa Reynolds plays the elegant character who initially regards the activities as trivial but ultimately seeks connection through resurfaced memories of her past.
Alec Ludacka stands out as the instructor, exuding an infectious positivity blended with his youthfulness, bringing a philosophical depth to his character.
Gambini enhances the realism of the dialogue by employing overlapping conversations reminiscent of an Altman film, allowing for a more lifelike interaction among the characters.
This technique is counterbalanced with longer pauses, adding a different layer of realism to the conversations.
At times, when one pair of characters is engaged in lengthy dialogue, the other two lean against each other on stage, creating a sense of stillness and reflection.
The finale features the touching performance of ‘God Only Knows,’ which, while poignant, feels slightly forced in light of Brian Wilson’s recent passing.
The sound design by Bailey Trierweiler & UptownWorks effectively incorporates subtle soundscapes of ocean waves, while Andrew R. Cissna’s lighting shifts to a blue hue at certain moments, although not as frequently as one might expect in an ocean-themed production.
Water play is introduced in a humorous manner, with characters dousing each other using bottles of Fiji water and a hose from the bathroom, culminating in an impactful environmental twist at the end.
However, audience members left the theater without getting wet, despite the anticipated splashes.
The production runs nearly two hours without an intermission, prompting an engaging and compact theatrical experience that resonates with both humor and depth.
Overall, ‘Wipeout’ at Studio Theatre is a compelling examination of friendship, reflection, and the quest for new experiences in later life.
image source from：broadwayworld
