Little Theatre’s ‘Neighborhood 3’ should lead to lively discussion

Las Vegas Little Theatre's "Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom" is a sad and funny take on a world that has lost its sense of order.

The first thing we notice is David Sankuer's eerie set. Things at first look pretty -- light, solid colors on the exterior of tract houses. They're surrounded by a series of symmetrically interesting shapes and centered by a big screen that, for the moment, is showing nothing but fuzz. But there's something discomforting. Things look too orderly, lifeless.

Sankuer captures the play's spirit. Young people become obsessed by a new video game, grow distant from their parents -- who have their own troubles -- and soon, virtual reality is getting mixed up with the real world. The teenagers have no idea what they're in for.

Jennifer Haley's script isn't gunning against video games. She's concerned about the disconnect of the American family.

Director Troy Heard understands the guts of the play. His pacing starts out slow and gradually explodes into madness. He and light designer Ginny Adams offer several stunning visual images that take you by surprise. And best of all, Heard elicits sometimes exceptional performances from his four-member cast, who play a variety of roles.

Anita Bean is just as effective as a smart-looking, self-absorbed mother as she is a lonely, simple housewife who has to beg for attention from her son.

Aelwyn Thomas segues from a sexually aggressive adolescent to an intelligent, painfully shy girl who unsuccessfully tries to get the mother to face what's going on around her.

Micah Epstein brings different souls to several older characters, none more frightening than that of a geeky, lawn-obsessed, robotic-acting neighbor who has a few secrets up his sleeve.

The young actor Dakota Granados exhibits rare naturalism, depth and variety. You can read his every thought, and yet he doesn't seem to be doing anything. When one of Granados' characters falls down weeping in front of his mother, you realize the actor has skillfully shown us the gradations of the boy's breakdown.

Heard has brilliantly turned this difficult script into a cliffhanger. You want to know what happens next. And, if God is good, the production will make for some lively discussion at the family dinner table.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at vegastheaterchat @aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.