Some things you need to know before an evening at 'Illuminati'

Before attending "Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (An Evening With the Illuminati)," prepare yourself to be invited into the post-apocalyptic world of Reverend Eddie.

Once invited, you will be a member of his dwindling congregation and bare witness to his delusions and ravings, which are fantastically delivered by actor Mike Culbertson.

Up on stage with Culbertson is fellow actor Daniel Boughton as Brother Lawrence, Reverend Eddie's hunchbacked, IQ-challenged sidekick.

Brother Lawrence provides for most of the play's very dark humor and Boughton brings frantic life to this character through his expressive face and voice. He also manages to bring vulnerability to the role of someone who is often demeaned by Eddie but who actually possesses a greater insight, even if it is accidental.

Scary is goodThe success of the production largely depends on the work of these two actors and both manage some pretty spell-binding efforts. They play freaks and crazy people so convincingly that at times it's a bit scary.

Scary is good here, though. The production is intended to make the audience uncomfortable and the small space of the Lab Theatre is perfectly suited for this accomplishment.

Often the theater is plunged into total darkness. Then there are the moments when the line between the production and the audience is blurred even more and you discover yourself thrown into Reverend Eddie's world.

Any problems with the play mostly come from the script itself and not the university's production of it.

While one can just sit and take the whole spectacle in, understanding what is actually going on can be confusing, sometimes needlessly so. It is never clearly stated that this all takes place after an apocalypse and we never really get to know much about Eddie and Lawrence, other than their eccentricities.

Sometimes the dreams and/or delusions of Eddie were more enjoyable than the play's main setting.

There is a scene where a man played by Boughton applies for sainthood and has to pick from "saintly" deaths such as being burned alive, having his ear filled with hot lead or being torn apart by beasts, which makes him wonder why a modern death like alcohol and Quaaludes can't be considered.

Dark but funnyIt is dark material to laugh at, but it is funny. It is the type of humor that will leave the audience wondering if it is appropriate to laugh or not.

Then again, "Illuminati" is not about what is appropriate. Another scene features a conversation between a very gay St. Paul and Timothy about the role of women in the church that could be thought of as either terribly offensive or amusing and insightful.

The play's subject matter concerning organized religion and blind faith is timeless, but sometimes it is hard to figure out where the writers were trying to go with the material. It's like the pieces never quite fit together.

The production, put on by Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Theatre and Dance, is successful despite these complaints.

Professor Kenn Stilson's direction is skillful and his addition of some modern and local references to the script are well-placed. He also manages to make the small space of the Lab Theatre into an advantage.

He gave the actors a chance to go out on a limb and deliver performances that could come close to overacting, but they manage to step back from that brink just enough.

Although it may not be to everyone's liking, "Illuminati" makes for a thoughtful and unsettling experience, which can sometimes be rewarding in itself.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182