Don't you forget about late-night breakfast theater
Derek Campbell
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Culture
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One of these particular gems lies in the back room of the popular Westport Coffeehouse.
This java-lovers favorite is tucked away behind the delicious restaurants and eclectic shops of historic Westport at 4010 Pennsylvania Ave.
Wireless Internet access and a relaxed ambiance make this a perfect place to study or just hang out with friends.
Of course, the coffee is pretty good, too.
Just beyond the mocha lattes and coffee stirrers lies an intimate, black-box theater, with the capacity to hold approximately 75 people and the potential to deliver very personal performances.
As of last Monday, the performance space began hosting a production of "The Breakfast Club," presented by Coterie Theatre.
The theater offers the challenge of making a play happen in a very limited space (it was set up with seats in two clusters, with an aisle in between).
In "The Breakfast Club," director Ron Megee utilized the space by breaking the infamous fourth wall.
He had cast members run through hallways ending at a locker, set off to the side of the seating area.
The best part about this set-up was it created a very home-like atmosphere. Patrons were invited to bring their items purchased at the coffeehouse into the theater and enjoy them during the show.
If you are familiar with the John Hughes classic, this theatrical version will most likely be an enjoyable experience for you.
For those who have not seen the iconic '80s film, the story chronicles the lives of five high school students serving a Saturday detention together - yet as the story unfolds, they find they are all very much alone.
According to the show's description, each student represents a stereotype seen in high schools across the nation: "a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse."
This is the story of how those worlds can collide, but also how similar they really can be.
Though not a particularly serious production, the actors were all talented and provided very energetic and emotionally driven performances.
They worked hard and you could tell they all really enjoyed their roles.
Perhaps the most unique part of this experience happened after the show, when audience members were invited on-stage to graffiti on the desks and have a dance party featuring some of the greatest hits of the '80s (Simple Minds, anyone?)
Cast members interacted with the audience and brought them right into the detention hall.
The Westport Coffeehouse theater provided a rare experience not found in many places. With reasonable ticket prices, it was the perfect movie alternative for all to enjoy.
The open-ended run of "The Breakfast Club" shows every Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Coterie Theatre box office or on their Web site www.coterietheatre.org.
dcampbell@unews.com
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