Review: 'Our House' at Hole in the Wall Theater

New Britain, CT - OUR HOUSE is a scathing dark comedy written by Theresa Rebeck in 2010 that asks the question if news and entertainment are interchangeable as it examines America’s obsession with reality television. Ryan Wantroba makes his directorial debut in the strong production that is running at the Hole in Wall Theatre in New Britain. Lauren DellaFera makes her first foray into the world of producing alongside her husband Ryan.

In OUR HOUSE a foul-mouthed TV bigshot worried about dwindling ratings installs America's favorite news anchor as host of a popular reality show. At the same time, in Middle America, a houseful of roommates bicker over real-world conflicts like the fact that Merv doesn't clean the kitchen, someone ate Alice's yogurt, and the rent is long past due. When this reality collides with reality TV, the audience find themselves front and center in a drama that holds the television nation riveted, at least those that don’t change the channel.

So the two act play opens with the action of the executives in the sinking television station running parallel with the fighting of the roommates in their house. It took my brain a while to adjust to the fact that the ‘Big Brother’ knockoff happens offstage and no one was filming in the roommates’ house. The director notes in the program that given the current political landscape, this piece could simply be called prophetic. He also correctly comments that Ms. Rebeck’s dialogue was written with “frantic realism, with characters interrupting their own thoughts with the abruptness of one changing channels. This atmosphere is frenetic and compelling, but ultimately cynical.” This gives you an idea of the pace of the two acts and should also serve as a warning that there will be shocking elements that move along the story, not to mention a whole lot of very foul language at high decibels and a sex scene. You have been warned.

Technical director Bill Arnold designed the set that presented the two worlds most realistically. Costumes by Mallory Diana Spencer fit the diverse characters very effectively and lighting by Michael Figiel brought us into the tv studio, the executive’s office and the titular house.

Because the work mirrored the types of reality shows that I avoid, I found parts of it hard to take, although I appreciated the reference to the tv show ‘The Mole.’ However, the performances of this ensemble of actors did a great job with bringing these characters to life as they should be.

It isn’t often that I see a show locally that features a cast of actors that I have never seen before; this cast had only one performer that I had seen once before. Every one of them gave their all to the finely drawn roles and made us believe their performances. There were many long monologues to master and they did so very well. And then there was all that shouting…

I did remember Dina Addorisio from her roles as Egeus/Pyramus in Secret Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Desultory Theatre Club. Here she played Alice, the organized roommate who is Merv’s arch nemesis, and she was most strong in the role. Alan Burkholder served as the peacemaker roommate in the house and was by far the quietest of the group.

Suomia Dode portrayed the lovely and driven anchorperson Jennifer and William Moro played the station news director Stu. Shawna Pelletier did very well with the role of roommate Grigsby; she will be stage managing BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL at Connecticut Theatre Company in October.

Michael Serignese made his outstanding HITW debut in the role of the tv executive Wes. Victor Tellez was also perfect at the schlubby Merv who cannot put down the remote.

Hole in the Wall is located across the street from the New Britain Police Dept. and Trinity on Main. OUR HOUSE continues weekends through August 4. The use of the sounds of gunshots are announced before the show begins. Due to graphic content, this show is recommended for mature audiences. www.hitw.org

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417