‘The Killing Game’ will slay you

Is it a government conspiracy? The result of squalor and unhealthy living? God’s revenge on the weak and unworthy? Is it a social commentary on the times we live in?

Playwright Eugene Ionesco raises many powerful questions in “The Killing Game,” which continues for two more weekends at Black Box Theatre.

The characters in this play take themselves very seriously – they are, after all, dropping dead all over the place. But director Marissa Bond and her talented cast and crew, including and especially costumer (Robert “Bobcat” Young, who is also in the cast and is the play’s assistant director) and the set designer (Joshua Taulbee, another cast member), lighting designer (theatre co-owner Peter Herman) and sound designer (Rafael Medina, who also has a direct link to the show) individually and collectively recognize that they are producing absurdist theatre.

Everything that is said and done, each pistol and necktie, every light change and sound cue, means something, even though the collective whole may mean nothing at all.

It is literally deadly serious and at the same time completely ridiculous. For example, is it a health professional who sets the terrified characters’ minds at ease, or a government or religious leader? No. It’s someone quoting statistics.

Watching this wonderful play is like looking at a beautiful piece of abstract art. You turn your head: This is so beautiful, but did they hang it the right way? Is this funny or is it terrifying? Should I laugh or gasp?

Answer those questions for yourself when you see this play – and you should go see it. Pay attention to the hangman and the old couple, the anarchist and the prisoners, to the black-and-white costumes and set pieces, and to the red eyes and the purple on the floor and the back wall and the subtle strains of “What a Wonderful World.” Mostly, just sit back and enjoy some quality theatre.

In addition to Young and Taulbee, the cast includes Teddy Aspen-Sanchez, Karen Buerdsell, Vanessa Dabovich, Gina DeMondo, Avra Elliot, Cassandra Galban, Erica Krauel, Taylor Landfair, Ed Montes, Joseluis Solorzano and Nancy Sorrells. Kudos to all of them. Each cast member gets to shine his or her individual light at one point during the performance. But it is the collective work of this truly ensemble sight and their insightful director that brings the magic to this production.

 “The Killing Game” continues with these performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 31-Feb., 1 Feb. 7-8; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 2 and 9; and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Tickets are $15 regular admission, $12 for students and seniors over age 65 and $10 for all seats for the Thursday night, Feb. 6 performance. Black Box Theatre is located at 430 N. Main St. downtown.

For more information and tickets, call 575-523-1223 and visit http://no-strings.org/.