Article Last Updated: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:12:59 PM PST

Renegade Theatre is valley's new troupe
Adult-edged black comedy The Dice House' is current production
By W. Fred Crow

Like pretty much everyone else, I like gifts. Especially a gift that excites the mind. And seeing a new theater in town gave me a smile. The Renegade Theatre Experiment opens its second season with Paul Lucas' adult-edged black comedy, "The Dice House." These self-professed renegades bring a new toy to town with some very serious talent in the wings.

The Renegade Theatre Experi-ment began in May 2002 as a good idea that got better. According to Artistic Director Sean C. Murphy, a group of Santa Clara theater alumni began an actor's support group where actors could workshop audition materials.

"We met every Monday for a couple of months when finally someone suggested that, since we all really liked working with each other, that we should put on our own show," Murphy said.

After presenting a series of one-act plays, they decided to "do it for real" and formalized RTE.

Murphy added, "We want to make it possible for people to have a career and life in the theater and still be able to live in the Bay Area."

The initial core group of committed renegades formed the board of directors, began picking shows, started looking for venues, and planning for the future which included becoming a non-profit corporation.

The moniker they gave themselves attests to their level of experience in running a theater. Namely, none. Hence, "Experimental." And since, "It is our desire to create theater that breaks with convention," they added the term "Renegade," Murphy said.

Helping to keep the house afloat are the hours of support offered gratis by unselfish volunteers making what needs to happen, happen.

"The Dice House," directed by Russ Marcel, is a black lampoon of psychotherapy. Carrying the wit of Woody Allen, the recklessness of Monty Python, and the darkness of Steven King, "The Dice House" entertains at a visceral, adult level, more by topic than bawdiness. Marcel lets the comedy flow without being overpowered by the night.

New thinking in behavior psychiatry prompts Dr. Ratner (Mark Drumm) to create a world apart from decision. Everything is decided by the throw of the dice. Good or bad, right or wrong, happy or disappointed, the thrower agrees to live by the decision of the dice.

Dr. Drabble (Sean C. Murphy) holds an opposite view, that people are capable of living satisfied lives and still face the challenge of making and accepting choices. As an opportunist, though, Drabble forces patient, Matthew (Spencer Haugen), to Ratner's place in an attempt to kidnap Polly (Sarah Almazol), his estranged wife. Polly is quite taken with the freedom offered by not making any decisions and the good doctor.

The dueling doctors constantly come to verbal blows over their unconnecting behavior theories, all the while surrounded by the comings and goings of Ratner's retinue of self-afflicted social outcasts.

The entire cast was a kick. Murphy and Drumm played the good doctors with a delightful selfishness. Their repartee is quick as the writing and as sharp as the wit. Almazol, mildly dressed as an escapee from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," offered the view of someone totally in control, wanting to exist in a world void of decision, yet too strong to give up her freedom of personal choice. Haugen parlayed mild mannered Milquetoast Matthew into a solid stanchion for lost Lisa (Rimma Dreyband) to hold on for support. Peter Canavese, Dan Calvisi and Gabriel O. Esparza gave firm sustenance to the structure of the show. There are some twists and turns in the plot that could distract and detract, but overall, a solid showing by a solid theater.

"The Dice House" by the Renegade Theatre Experiment opens June 6 and plays through June 21 at the Benson Theatre. The Benson Theatre (Bellarmine College Preparatory) is located at, 850 Elm St., San Jose. Call the box office at 351-4440 for more information.

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W. Fred Crow is a local music director and frequent attendee of the arts. Contact him at wfredcrow@yahoo.com.