Switch Theatre Presents Rhinoceros Review

We, like the cast, have waded through many word-heavy scenes to arrive at a penultimate moment that best lets Switch Theatre show their creative chops. Sporting dead-on masks that capture the inscrutability of the titular pachyderm, most of the ensemble floats before us to perform a synchronized dance. Below the masks they wear camouflage patterned long underwear that reveals the ensemble’s diverse body shapes, from paunchy to petite. They certainly aren’t dancers, but that adds to the fun. They are the herd that one by one the townsfolk have morphed into.

It’s hilarious— it’s absurd.

It’s a snapshot moment in this theater of the absurd gem, Rhinoceros, penned by existentialist playwright Ionesco post WWII to speak to the dangers of conformity morphing into fascism. Bravo to community theater Switch Theatre for choosing to stage a play so in synch with the Trumpian challenges of our time.

Switch Theatre Gives Many Local Actors a Place to Shine

We find many laugh out loud moments in this production. Right from the gitgo, as the ensemble quickly creates a French village and café scene, we enjoy the ability of each actor to help paint a town. You will likely agree—a standout in this scene is youthful Dylan Atwood lumbering across the stage in full body crouch, so like an old man that we can imagine hearing his bones creak.

Almost every actor on the stage gets a chance to similarly shine, in this writer’s view, as one hopes a proper community theater production will always deliver. From the audience perspective, the explosion of personalities keeps us engaged and entertained throughout. There are a few standout performances too. We watch Philip Andrew Solano seem to grow into his lead character, Berenger, as the story progresses— the nebbish everyman anti-hero. Another standout is John Paul Middlesworth as Berenger’s best friend, who dazzles us with his marathon of calisthenics as his character, Jean, is getting infused with beast energy right in front of our eyes.

Stagecraft Adds to the Modern Update Feel

Switch’s integration of modern touches- from cellphone cameras to projection screens and more— helps dilute the periodic word drag that is troublesome in Ionesco’s script.