If you thought college life in the sixties was a psychedelic era all about wild sex and drugs, you're wrong. Well, you might not be wrong, but don't expect that to be the central focus of Zeropoint Production's "Moonchildren," featuring Tufts alumnus George Rausch (LA '05). As it turns out, there were important issues going on.
The play, showing this weekend at the Cambridge Family YMCA, touts itself as a comedy. Michael Weller's "Moonchildren" takes place entirely within an apartment in the 1969-1970 school year, as several college seniors live together and deal with their lives through the filter of the "peace movement."
Dealing with life in this case means planning for life beyond college and coping with the landlord and a wound-up neighbor, the police, grades and relationship issues (so there was a lot of sex in the sixties). The friends also get wrapped up in the political turmoil of peace rallies and getting drafted to Vietnam.
Actor Michael DiLoreto puts a good comedic twist on his character of Norman, a neurotic graduate student devoted to his radical ideas. As Norman's hippie girlfriend Shelley, Rebecca Loveys also creates a lovable, entertaining character.
Dawson Hill and Keith E. Survillas are over the top in their efforts to make their respective characters, Mike and Mel (also known as Cootie), the comic relief. Unfortunately, their acting and Survillas' stage makeup are a little too exaggerated, and they are still not that funny.
Mike Bash does a good job of defining his character, Dick, as the selfish, sex-crazed friend. Jumbo alum Rausch is also good at creating distinct character traits for Bob, who tries to create a new persona as Job. Bob is sullen, detached and cynical but his breakdown isn't quite convincing enough.
Louis Pasquale and Dan Schuettinger portray Mr. Willis and Lucky with just the right amounts of realism and sarcasm. Zoe Weingart wears different hats in the production as both "Moonchildren"'s costume designer and as Kathy, Bob's girlfriend. Unfortunately, she is not terribly successful at either of these roles.
The costumes do not seem to have much effort put into them. Often, they look like something the actors pulled out of their own closets and glued patches onto. Additionally, Kathy's whiny indecision and irrational actions - which seem to be her only personality traits - make her an annoying character.
Shay Fitzpatrick's portrayal of Bob's Uncle Murray leaves something to be desired, exemplified in his artificial crying scene that starts too suddenly and detracts from the momentum of the show.
For the most part, the supporting actors' performances are superior to those of the lead actors (the college seniors inhabiting the apartment). Unfortunately, talented minor characters are lost without strong leads.
The scene with Ralph, the encyclopedia salesman, is the best and funniest moment of the play, which is not saying very much for a supposed comedy. With her snappy dialogue and petulant actions, actress Alyssa Jayne Hale's scene as Bream the police officer provides another entertaining moment.
While the play contains some other good jokes, these sporadic moments of humor are not enough to hold up the entire production. For a comedy, "Moonchildren" gets too serious as it progresses. This turbulent show is not nearly as daring as it could be.
Some random aspects of the play do not make sense, at least not to a college student of the new millennium. Why do these characters drink and collect so many milk bottles? However, older audiences will relate much better and laugh a lot more. Their enjoyment of "Moonchildren" will likely stem from nostalgia, not from the costumes, acting, or storyline.
