THEATER REVIEW: Rooms: A Rock Romance @ Prince Music Theater, 4/29

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THEATER REVIEW: Rooms: A Rock Romance @ Prince Music Theater, 4/29

POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010, 6:20 PM

Filed Under: Arts

Photo | Mark Valenzuela

CAUGHT IN A COY ROMANCE >> 11th Hour Theatre Co.'s production of Rooms: A Rock Romance is the theater equivalent of a light dinner at a tapas restaurant: pure entertainment without anything too heavy. With a bite-size 90-minute running length, Rooms is still able to pack in plenty of passion, catchy tunes and fluffy jokes without unnecessarily weighing down audience members. There are times, though, when the play's action is so condensed as to seem comical or confusing. But with a plot revolving around a rapid romance, the breakneck speed helps capture the exhilaration of new love and exciting opportunities. Growing up in Glasgow in the '70s, Monica P. Miller (played by a charming Alex Keiper) desires only fame, while Ian Wallace (the subtly endearing Michael Philip O'Brien) desires to just be left alone in his room. Naturally, the two are brought together by a bat mitzvah, begin a coy romance, end up London playing the parts of punk rock superstars, then within a week are in New York City on the fast track to failure. Yes, it's all a little far-fetched, but enjoyable if you can abandon yourself to the ride and stop from giggling at the actor's occasionally overwrought Scottish accent. Miller and Keiper are both more than capable of hamming it up and laughing along with the audience. Though outlandish, the ending is the satisfying conclusion the audience had been waiting for. And, judging by attendees' post-show humming through the halls, it seems that Rooms has succeeded in its goal of producing a piece of uplifting theater.

Through May 2, $24-$27, Prince Music Theater, Independence Studio, 1412 Chestnut St., 267-987-9865, 11thhourtheatrecompany.org.

RELATED: ARTS PICK: Rooms

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