Yoga Play
Yoga Play is just as the LA Times described it: “a fresh new comedy with a sharp cultural bite." The satire of the first act becomes laugh-out-loud comedy in the second act, making it a couple of hours of entertainment with cracks at political correctness, marketing techniques and social and cultural expectations.
Playwright Dipika Guha creates satirical characters that mirror human foibles and eccentricities but gives them a script that is fun, funny and artistically demanding all at the same time. Celebrated American director Mina Morita realises all of that in this in a tight, carefully styled production that is fast and colourful and technically precise.
The set and costumes designed by James Lew allow the action to be centred in a compact, circular space with clean, clear lines that are accentuated in the cut and colour of the costumes. Kate Baldwin’s lighting emphasises the satirical, corporate brashness of some scenes and the sardonic social mockery of others. With sound designer Will Hughes adding special atmospheric effects and Mark Bolotin’s clever multimedia effects, this creative team gives Mina Morita the perfect setting to present her vision of what she describes as Guha’s “brilliant and kaleidoscopic comedy”.
Morita’s direction mirrors the clarity and style of Guha’s writing. Every action is designed to find the humour and satire in the words as well as the different comical but realistic dimensions of the characters. Pace and clarity are essential in any comedy, but especially in so in social satire. Morita’s direction is exact and defined and her cast obviously relish her clear vision of the play and her insightful and precise directions.
Andrea Moor brings wide experience on stage and screen to the production as Joan, the new CEO of Jojomon, specialist purveyors of yoga gear. Her task is to rescue the company after a social scandal. Moor shows Joan’s tension in taut, contained action and delivery that satirises the comedy of ambition and risk-taking while still showing the fragility of those who have that power. Moor anchors the production with a strong, perfectly timed performance.
Nat Jobe returns to Riverside as Raj, the company CFO who Joan pressures, somewhat cruelly, into taking on a ‘role’ that is well and truly beyond the call of duty. Jobe has excellent comic timing, whether playing the straight, eager-to-be-helpful Raj – or the very different character that Joan forces him to portray. His clear voice and expressive face and excellent use of pause are important assets in this production.
Jemwel Danao plays Fred, the “Chinese-Indian” migrant anxious to impress in order for his visa to be renewed and a green card. Danao too has a fine sense of timing and comedy which he uses effectively, especially in short private break-time discussions with Raj in Act 1 – and in an especially funny scene with Jobe and Camilla Ponte Alvarez in the second act.
Alvarez plays a number of roles, but shines as Romola, the yoga teacher Joan singles out to make her risky plan succeed. Alvarez is lithe and athletic as well as matching the comedic action and character required of this role that requires excellent timing and discrete action.
Thomas Larkin plays a very swamy, on leave company manager – and a very unexpected yoga guru. His control and almost imperceptive silent answers to questions added quiet smiles that juxtaposed the more ‘active’ comedy of other scenes.
Yoga Play is funny and satirical. It is well-written and this production is a fine example of good comedy well-directed and well-acted. What a pity there were only a few days on which to catch it!
Carol Wimmer
Photographer: Phil Erbacher
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