Dark Humor and Disturbing Plot Twists in 'Five Uneasy Pieces'

Todd Waring and Lyman Medeiros in 'Five Uneasy Pieces.' (Photo by Virginia Anzengruber)
Waring's Five Uneasy Pieces showcases his envy-evoking talents for both writing and performance. With minimal time and rich, but frugal language, Waring constructs six gradually climatic character studies that vary wildly in tone and sentiment. His attention to natural detail lends believability and eerie familiarity to eccentric and emotionally complex characters. Waring is a charismatic performer, affectionately delivering each monologue with tact and sympathetic subtlety. Waring lulls his audience into a reality-suspending trance that ignores typical constraints of age, gender, race, sexual preference, and nationality.
Five Uneasy Pieces is playing at Santa Monica Playhouse through February 27, 2011. Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Tickets are available via phone at 323-960-5521 or online through Plays 411.