Enron
Californians who remember the "rolling blackouts" of 2000-2001 can thank Enron, the Texas-based energy company, for the "electricity crisis." And if 9/11 hadn't seared the nation's psyche, Americans would recall Enron's market manipulations, pipeline shutdowns, and havoc with deregulated energy much more. Laura Prebble's satirical, three-ring circus recounts the rise and plummet of "the world's most innovative company." The owner, Ken Lay, looks the other way; Jeffrey Skilling, CEO and self-declared genius, rules with "unbridled aggression," and Andy Fastow, finance wiz, creates the means to conceal 30 billion in debt. The play also includes sideshows -- three blind mice, three nasty raptors, song and dance -- to sugar the pill. These are the weakest part of Moxie Theatre's in many ways fine production (they also reveal that about half the cast has little experience in musical theater). Max Macke's Skilling thinks he's King Lear, but gains no wisdom from his fall. Eddie Yaroch captures the "bubble mania" of the times as Fastow, a mad scientist with his frizzled hair on fire. Tim Nottage's sleek, white-paneled set uses a turntable for quick changes of scene. By play's end it resembles Fortune's Wheel. Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, December 7, 2014
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm |
| Thursdays, 7pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 8pm |