Review: 'K'

Review: 'K'
By JOEL GEHRINGER / GZO
Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 01:13:15 pm CDT

Only a handful of spectators showed for the premiere of Rough Magic’s “K,” and it’s a crying shame.

That means many, many more people missed out on one of the most engrossing and stylistically entertaining original productions to hit Lincoln in some time.

“K,” a biographical drama of Austrian writer Franz Kafka, never drags, never fumbles and never stops moving.

That’s quite a feat considering it’s essentially the story of a man who was, to put it crudely, nothing more than a sensitive pessimist with low self-esteem.

But despite his seemingly boring persona, Kafka crafted worlds of bizarre characters and situations, often blurring the line between his real world and his dream world.

“K” latches onto that idea and that’s where the production succeeds. Using scenes and fragments of Kafka’s work, “K” constantly weaves between fact and fiction, turning what could have been a dull story into an intellectual dreamworld that increasingly melds short stories and biography until it’s hard to tell which is which.

In order to facilitate that, Rough Magic uses minimal but genius props and scenery that allow Kafka’s world to be here one moment and gone the next.

On that note, if you plan on attending “K,” you better do your homework. Even a general knowledge of Kafka’s work and life would benefit, because this play moves fast, and there’s no breathing time for catching up if you miss something.

Also, be prepared for character changes. The 12-person cast portrays a couple of dozen characters throughout the show, some of which require switching personas in seconds. Two words: pay attention.

The one consistent character is Kafka himself, played by Barry Carman, who, coincidence or not, actually bears a striking resemblance to Kafka. It’s hard to say if that helped any, but his delivery sure makes one think Kafka’s been reincarnated. Carman’s so well-prepared, those who go will believe he’s about to have a nervous breakdown on stage. It’s superb.

Other excellent and rather consistent actors were Greg Flattery as Kafka’s friend, Max Brod, and Erik Gaetz as Kafka’s abusive father, Hermann. Their respective deliveries had me won over fairly quickly.

Here’s hoping the weekend brings more patrons to “K.” Honestly, if people decide to miss out on this homegrown think piece, it would be, well, surreal.

Reach Joel Gehringer at 472-7254 or jgehringer@journalstar.com.