'Duck Hunter Shoots Angel' Delivers Laughs All the Way Through

The Riverfront Playhouse's production of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel is a hilarious comedy, a surreal journey through thoughts and memories and poignant reflection on where the twists and turns of life can take us.

Mitch Albom's (Tuesdays with Morrie) play appears, at first glance, to be a classic "culture-clash" comedy where New York meets Deep South and mayhem ensues. Certainly there is plenty of mayhem, but the play is much more than just a slapstick comedy.

It is a surreal journey through the mind of Sandy, the jaded tabloid reporter. It is a frank and honest look at regional prejudices and the truth behind them.  Finally, and most importantly, it is a play about how we let ourselves got so distracted by the meaningless noise of life that we miss the meat of life.

The story line is straight forward. Sandy, played by Ron Anderson, is sent by his sleazy editor, Lester (Tom Dickens) to interview two duck hunters who claim they shot an angel.

Sandy and photographer Lenny (Amanda Birdsell), armed with a camera, a checkbook and a boat load of regional prejudices meet the duck hunters, DuAnn and Duwell (Hanna Pristave and Joe Chmill).

DuAnn and Duwell seem to fit every stereotype about the Deep South and have their own prejudices about people from 'up there.' The brother and sister lead Sandy and Lenny on a wild hunt through the swamp looking for the wounded angel. The foursome find bits and pieces of angel evidence, rival reporters in helicopters and the real people behind the prejudices.

That's the straight forward storyline. It is blurred by side trips into Sandy's memories, Duwell and DuAnn's past, Lester's New York office and conversations with a disembodied voice.  

The primary location is an Alabama swamp called Mutter's Lake. Other locations are indicated by light changes and set pieces. The non-swamp locations feel misty and illusionisary, except Lester's office back in New York ,which appears to be the only firm reality in the whole play. Transitions between times and places are seamless thanks to overlapping dialog and strong acting.  

The characters in Duck Hunter Shoots Angel could be dismissed with one dimensional labels – jaded reporter, hard nose city girl, redneck hicks. The Riverfront cast digs deeper than that and makes them vibrant real people.

Anderson's "know-it-all" swagger quickly stumbles uncertainly as the deeper truths of the play unfold. Lenny appears at first glance to be just along for the paycheck, but Birdsell's portrayal soon reveals an insightful, but sometimes, uncertain woman.

Tom Dickens takes sleazy grease-ball to the comedic extreme as Lester the tabloid owner/editor.  Jennifer Alten is the heartbreaking girl Sandy left behind. Alten's character so plainly is trying to tell him something and Sandy is just too busy to hear it. Kansas (Holy Ruby) is the checkout girl at the local gas station/convenient store who is the first to challenge Sandy's prejudices with her keen mind and kind heart.

The most surprisingly complex characters are the sister and brother duck hunters, DuAnn and Duwell. Pristave and Chmill embody both the madcap slapstick of the bumbling team and their thoughtful insights which pop out at odd moments.

The hilarious performances are woven together into a terrific production by directors Shawn Dooley and Tim Curtis. The set design and lighting by Gene Scheffler captures both the realism and surrealism of the piece.

Duck Hunter Shoots Angel is a hilarious way to spend an evening. The lovable characters and silly situations keep the audience laughing from the moment the curtain opens until the instant it falls. Between the laughter it reminds us to pay attention to life and savor each moment as it passes. You never know when something important is going to slip past you.

Duck Hunter Shoots Angel runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 6, at the Riverfront Playhouse in downtown Aurora. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations and directions call 630-897-9496.