Come see Action Movie the play at Strike Theater

Is it wise to write a play about a screenwriter? We accept it as an indulgence when Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a character in a film-within-a-film in Last Action Hero, but there may be a short circuit when it happens in theater, with a film-within-a-play.  Fearless Comedy attempts the near impossible in Action Movie written by Kyle B. Dekker, directed by Garrick Dietze, performed at Strike theater in northeast Minneapolis. 

Adrienne Lee is a screenwriter who’s told by an agent to change her rom-com script into an action movie and that her main character should be an Instagram influencer. Adrienne's response: “There are dumb people on the Internet."  

And another character’s response: “There will always be assholes on the Internet that you think are dumb.” Does Adrienne know how to make an movie? Does she dare to find out?

As Adrienne sits down at her table, one of the very few props used in this production, we meet several people in Adrienne's life who offer up opinions on how to get past writer's block and meet deadlines. Many strive to inspire Adrienne by encouraging whiskey and coffee, an author’s vice. That and snake oil, which comes in handy as Adrienne finds herself in a dream where she meets the Greek gods of writing.

The Greek gods are dressed in sparkling gowns and sashes. They stand on boxes, singing about anything from protagonists to antagonists and plot development.

Many movie-like action themes were expanded on in this play.My favorite was the theme of stunt double.Dressed in all black attire, Adrienne finds herself in a Matrix scene dodging a Nerf gun's foam dart that is hurling at her in slow motion by an actor who is walking across the stage with it in hand. I’ve seen slow motion matrix scenes done a half dozen times, but this one takes the cake because of the exaggeration. I also enjoyed comedic relief with action songs like the ones in Rocky and Mortal Combat where I found myself nodding my head.

Being that the main character is a writer, it’s to be expected that she’s in casual attire. The only one dressed to the nines is the the movie agent in a red pant suit--the purpose behind this is unknown but the red sure draws attention in this all-black theater.

In fact, I wonder if this performance could have been done in a more suitable venue than Strike. The audience is often left in the dark in this black box, and I think that the actors could have made larger movements in a bigger space.

As an improv actor and frequent theatergoer, I enjoyed seeing some well-rounded improvisers in this performance. Fearless Comedy is known for its improvisation. It promotes risk taking and educates its artists and their talents.


Come see what Fearless Comedy is capable of doing in their comedic play, Action Movie.

Action Movie the Play runs Nov. (7-9) and Nov. (14-16) at 7:30 PM tickets are $10 for preorder or $15 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets go to http://fearlesscomedyproductions.com/productions/feature/action-movie-the-play/