S F Playhouse "Wirehead" is Devilishly Clever

Who would have known that such an innovative, imaginative play lurks in a tiny theater behind this bleak Sutter Street doorway?  Climb the stairs, grab a glass, and hold on to your seat...the next 98 minutes will be a wild ride indeed.

The plot:  Imagine a world in the not-so-distant future where money and influence could get you to the top of the list for a brain enhancing procedure.  You'd become brilliant, and leave your friends and your competition far behind.  Would you do it?  How far can this go?  What will the world become as more and more wired-up geniuses sprout amongst the remaining mere morons?

This startlingly clever play, written by Benjamin/Brown and admirably directed by Susi Damilano, provokes thought and lots of laughter.  The set is a visual stunner designed by Bill English and lit by Jon Retsky.  Act I opens with Scott Coopwood as the radio talk show host who blasts listeners as he broadcasts from a booth on high.  Craig Marker and Gabriel Marin are hilarious as office co-workers caught in the crossfire of their girlfriends and competition for business.  Add Cole Alexander Smith to the mix as the office dolt who gets "wired" and capitalizes on his new brainpower to leapfrog over his office buddies.  We see the trouble brewing.

The girlfriends, perfectly cast in Lauren Grace and Madeline H. D. Brown, have not a clue what the guys are up to.  Their facial gestures and body language provide mirthful counterpoint to their boyfriends' stumbling. 

Each of the six actors in the company are extraordinarily talented and well-cast.  Four are members of the Actors' Equity Association, and the remaining two certainly have the strong acting chops to join them.   This darkly amusing show will stick with you, provocatively.  Playing Tuesdays through Saturdays, including Saturday matinees, now through April 23rd at S. F. Playhouse, 588 Sutter Street, San Francisco.  Tickets are $30-$50 at (415) 677-9596 or www.sfplayhouse.org.  Not suited for children.