review - BAUER - BLK BOX PHX

Brian Runbeck, Maria Amorocho and Shana Bousard
photo by Reg Madison Photography 

by Carolyn Thomas

Inspiration is a fickle thing. Any artist of any medium will tell you so. Not only is it fragile at times, but creative sparks are in a way, sacred things. But what happens when that spark gets tainted and exploited? BLK BOX PHX's production of Lauren Gunderson's Bauer shows us one historical example of the fallout of exactly that. A tiny but mighty cast of electric actors paired with stunning artsy projections makes for an ultimately educational evening of great talent. Fine art fans will be most invested, though less-artsy audience members might still appreciate the look into the mind of a broken artist.

Bauer had its world premiere in 2014 in the San Francisco Playhouse. Centered around the history of artist Rudolf Bauer (1889 - 1953), his wife, and his lover/curator Hill von Rebay, Bauer takes place at the latter end of Bauer's life and career as he prepares to attempt to make amends with Rebay. We learn of his work in non-objective art, how it landed him in prison when such art was declared 'degenerate' by the Nazi party, and how a deep betrayal sent him reeling and ultimately quitting his craft altogether. The ending and premise of the play do not match with the truth of history, but instead it imagines a more fulfilling ending for the broken artist.

The play largely uses Louise and Rebay to tell his story and to try and build him back up to his former glory. The dialogue in the beginning of the play is the most engaging by far with witty banter to rival Jane Austen, though it does lose momentum a bit as it goes on. The ending is vibrant and fulfilling, however, even if reality wasn't for Bauer. We get glimpses of the lives of Rebay and Louise and their not-so-friendly rivalry in the process, but the focus is firmly on Bauer for the vast majority of the play as they do their best to inspire him one last time.

The cast couldn't be better-suited to their roles. A showstopper in the best sense, Maria Amorocho plays the fiery and fiesty Hilla von Rebay, Bauer's ex-lover and curator. She's a powerful force on the stage with a vivid presence, sweetly vicious in just the right ways. Her equal and opposite force, Shana Bousard as Louise, showcases a classic and gentle strength in her portrayal. Her accent is perfect for the immersion and her moments with Maria truly are some of the best parts of the play. That is not to say that Brian Runbeck as Bauer himself isn't a fantastic force in his own right. His earnest vulnerability matched with pride make for a balanced character and a middle ground for Rebay and Louise. Together, they all make for a stellar cast who can play off each other effortlessly both in humor and in heart.

The design elements blend together seamlessly to create a unified vision that dances between vivid colors and abstract representation and cold, harsh reality. Director Elaine 'E.E.' Moe brings together a firm vision in style, keeping the movement fresh and the creativity flowing. Scenic Designer Tiana Torrilhon makes great use of an asymmetrical stage with simple elements that allow for creative use of projections and functions perfectly as a static set as well. Lighting design by Daniel Davisson is subtle and complementary, simple and effective. Sound design by Peter Bish is similarly well done, providing exactly the right little touches that the show needs. Micky Small's media design deserves a special accolade for Bauer, it plays a large role in showing us glimpses into the mind of an artist and Small's designs and execution do so with aplomb. Costumes by Jessica Florez perfectly tell a visual story, from Rebay's fiery red ensemble to Louise's grounding greens and soft pinks, to the broken artist himself in shades of black, white, and gray, drained of color and inspiration.

Bauer is a show for creative minds and admirers alike. BLK BOX PHX showcases a skilled mix of talent and artistry to bring this cathartic piece to life. The cast alone are well worth the ticket, but the blend of creative elements make it a fully realized work of art in itself.

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through December 8